Chiefs offensive tackle buzz makes less sense the closer you look

The journey of following the Kansas City Chiefs' offensive line has been a long one that, at times, has felt somewhat like a reality TV show. With struggles, drama, frustration, and constant change, the Chiefs have done everything they can to protect their superstar quarterback, Patrick Mahomes.

Heading into another offseason, once again, the Chiefs have rumored interest in several offensive tackles. Names like Jermaine Eluemunor and Rasheed Walker have been mentioned, and even the idea of a trade for Trent Williams has been floated. Draft prospects like Francis Mauigoa are mocked to K.C. as if there's a serious need, as early as No. 9 overall in the draft order.

Just when it felt like the Chiefs had their offensive line set for the first time in years, these rumors have left fans with one question: Why?

The Backstory

Following the 2021 Super Bowl loss, one thing was clear: the Chiefs desperately needed to rebuild and retool their offensive line. Tackles Mitchell Schwartz and Eric Fisher had suffered major injuries, which ended their seasons, and the interior was not much better. After watching Patrick Mahomes run for his life as the Chiefs were pummeled 31–9, Brett Veach knew the Chiefs needed a change.

In that offseason, Kansas City came away with five new offensive line starters, making for one of the best groups in the NFL. This strengthened offensive line took the Chiefs far, and they went on to win a Super Bowl just two years later. But yet again, following the 2023 Super Bowl win, the Chiefs found themselves once again looking for offensive tackles.

Orlando Brown Jr. had struggled late in the season, and Kansas City lost Andrew Wylie to free agency, so the Chiefs took major action to keep their superstar quarterback protected. Brett Veach invested $80 million into Jawaan Taylor with the intention of moving him to left tackle, but with the late free-agency signing of Donovan Smith, the line was set for the next season.

Kansas City went on to win another Super Bowl, at which point Smith (effectively) retired, leaving the Chiefs in need of a left tackle yet again. After a revolving door at left tackle in the 2023–24 season, the Chiefs went big, signing Jaylon Moore and drafting Josh Simmons in the first round to shore up the blindside. Simmons won the starting job and looked like one of the best young tackles in the NFL, while Moore proved himself when he needed to fill in on either side of the line.

Where do things stand with the Chiefs now?

Just before free agency, the Chiefs released Taylor, freeing up $20 million in cap space and opening a lane for Moore to become a starter—or so we thought. Now, with rumors popping up left and right, it is hard for fans to know what is going on in the front office.

With Simmons playing like a star and Moore retaining his roster spot, it felt clear what the Chiefs had in mind going into 2026. Also, when you consider how well Esa Pole played at left tackle late in the year last season, many thought the Chiefs would finally feel confident in their tackle depth as well.

Kansas City has three very strong interior offensive linemen, with the best center in the NFL and two Pro Bowl-caliber guards. They have a young star at left tackle, and Moore has proven to be a quality offensive tackle. Even if he plays as a below-average tackle (he won't), the Chiefs have the offensive line talent to compensate and adjust for that.

Still, there are rumors about the Chiefs' connections to offensive tackles, and often, as we have seen in the past, where there's smoke, there's fire. But that may not be the case here.

What should Chiefs fans make of the rumors?

Not much. If the Chiefs did not feel comfortable with the current state of their offensive line, they would have made changes already. Moore carries an $18 million cap hit into 2026, and releasing him would free up almost $8 million. It is hard to imagine that Kansas City is willing to carry an $18 million tackle on its roster just to put him on the bench for the 2026 season.

Unless the Chiefs move on from Moore via trade, it would simply not make sense for the Chiefs to target a big-time tackle in free agency. There are so many other needs the Chiefs have on offense, and even if Moore is not the "perfect" right tackle option, there are bigger fish to fry.

Kansas City knows how hard it is to find quality offensive tackle talent, and they may look to add depth or potential competition. But that is something that should be addressed through the draft and not through free agency. The draft has several Day 3 tackles with a lot of potential, and someone like Texas A&M's Dametrious Crownover would be a perfect pickup.

Something to also note is that often in free agency or the draft, teams put out false flags to the media with hopes of raising the value of a player on the market or in the draft. It is very possible Kansas City is trying to push other teams to trade up or reach for offensive tackle out of concern that the Chiefs will take "their guy" at picks 9 or 29.

Do not overthink this. It simply does not make sense for the Chiefs to target an expensive, high-quality offensive tackle this offseason. I often say that free agency is for patching holes, and the draft is where you find your stars. After their struggles in 2025, the Chiefs have a lot more holes they need to address before they get to right tackle.

It is more than likely the Chiefs will look for tackle depth in the draft. It is even possible they will invest a top-100 pick in a player they think can be a starter or compete for a starting job. But realistically, it would not make sense for the Chiefs to invest even more major assets into offensive tackle, considering what they have done in the past and what they have now.

The Chiefs have what they need on the offensive line, and on the interior, they may very well have the best three guys in the NFL. There are several more important needs for the Chiefs to address in free agency and at the top of the draft, and it feels a lot like this smoke is just that... smoke.