Near future seems uncertain for Chiefs at right tackle

LANDOVER, MARYLAND - OCTOBER 17: Andrew Wylie #77 of the Kansas City Chiefs warms up before the game against the Washington Football Team at FedExField on October 17, 2021 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images)
LANDOVER, MARYLAND - OCTOBER 17: Andrew Wylie #77 of the Kansas City Chiefs warms up before the game against the Washington Football Team at FedExField on October 17, 2021 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images)

The Kansas City Chiefs will have to do some sorting over the next few games to figure out the best approach at right tackle.

Right tackle has been the loosest tooth, so to speak, along the offensive front for the Kansas City Chiefs for the last two seasons. Ever since general manager rebuilt the offensive line left to right during the 2021 offseason, the Chiefs have looked settled at left tackle, left guard, center, and right guard. The only question mark has been Andrew Wylie’s tenure at right bookend.

Wylie is a talented player who has been a marvel as a former journeyman and undrafted free agent. For him to rise in the ranks from late-season roster addition back in 2017 to offensive line staple for a Super Bowl contender is a major achievement, and Wylie’s ability to serve as a super sub at multiple positions makes him more valuable than most fans would likely understand.

That said, Wylie’s ceiling isn’t particularly high, which is why the Chiefs were able to bring him back on a one-year deal this offseason.

On Sunday, the Chiefs watched Wylie leave the game with an injury that was reportedly going to require further testing to see the extent of his availability going forward. With Wylie unable to play, the Chiefs subbed in Prince Tega Wanogho, a bit of a surprise given that they’re also carrying swing tackle Geron Christian on the roster who has much more experience as a starter on both sides.

Here’s where the picture starts to get complicated for the near future. Wanogho, by all accounts, looked solid against the Jaguars, who have a solid defensive front and a respectable pass rush. As a sixth-round pick as recently as 2020 (Philadelphia Eagles), Wanogho certainly has room to develop as he’s only 24-years-old. The Chiefs might have tapped into the potential of a late-blooming prospect in their work with him, and it’s entirely possible he has a higher ceiling than Wylie going forward.

That said, the Chiefs have to be anxious to also get back Lucas Niang from the Physically Unable to Play list, which is where he’s spent all season still trying to recover from a patellar injury suffered last year. Niang is a former third round pick with two full seasons left after this one at a nice price point, and he was drafted to be the right tackle of the future—as long as he can stay healthy.

Niang’s window to return from the PUP list opened early this month, and players coming off of that particular list have a three-week window in whcih the team must either place them on the active roster or stash them on injured reserve for the year. That means another decision on Niang must be made in the next week.

Can Niang live up to his potential after such a devastating injury? Can Wanogho really turn into a starting-caliber option? Is Wylie not the best way forward given his experience? The Chiefs are going to have to do a lot of sorting at the right tackle position in order to find the right option. For now, the near future outlook at the position is unclear.

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