Chiefs offensive tackle room looks nothing like it did two years ago

Last offseason, the Kansas City Chiefs' top priority was bolstering their offensive tackle room to protect their franchise investment, Patrick Mahomes. The team made several major moves, including signing Jaylon Moore to a 2-year, $30 million deal and spending their first-round draft pick on Ohio State star left tackle Josh Simmons. Kansas City also retained guys like Wanya Morris and Jawaan Taylor, who were major parts of the offensive line in years past.

Throughout the year, the Chiefs also made several changes, moving Kingsley Suamataia to guard and bringing back UDFA pickup Esa Pole. They also promoted Chukwuebuka Godrick from the international development list and practice squad, giving him valuable reps as an NFL offensive tackle.

Now, this offseason, Kansas City has moved on from starting right tackle Jawaan Taylor as well as depth tackle Wanya Morris. The offensive line has undergone a complete transformation in just two years, and the team seems confident in its young but talented group of offensive tackles. So, where does this group stand, and what can we expect to see as we get closer to 2026?

Josh Simmons

The Chiefs' top pick in the 2025 NFL Draft looked excellent last season but missed significant time with a personal matter early in the year, as well as a dislocated/fractured wrist on Thanksgiving. This offseason, Simmons has focused on getting healthy and seems to be in the best shape of his life heading into the 2026 season. His spot at left tackle feels safe, barring anything crazy this offseason, and the Chiefs are hoping 2026 is a breakout year for the second-year star.

HOT TAKE: Next season, Josh Simmons will prove to be the best left tackle Mahomes has ever had

Jaylon Moore

Moore was the Chiefs' biggest prize coming out of free agency last offseason after signing a 2-year, $30 million deal. While he did not win a starting job out of camp, leaving many fans disappointed, Moore's ability to serve as a swing tackle proved valuable and may be called upon again this year. Coming into the offseason, Moore was the favorite to win the Chiefs' right tackle job, but he will have to hold onto it with two young, undrafted tackles fighting for the same job.

Esa Pole

Pole feels like he should be a lock to make the Chiefs' opening-day roster because of how he played at left tackle late last season. A UDFA out of Washington State, Pole did not make the opening-day roster, spending some time with the Jets before finding his way back to Kansas City midseason. Now, the big 6-foot-7, 320-pound tackle will be fighting for a job again this offseason. Pole has not played right tackle outside of practice in his career, so he likely serves as the Chiefs' best "swing tackle" option on the bench behind Moore and Simmons.

Kahlil Benson

One of the most fascinating stories of the offseason so far has been UDFA pickup Kahlil Benson from Indiana. The right tackle for the undefeated national champions last season, Benson was an anchor for the Hoosiers' offensive line. But with a bad ACL injury early in his career and inconsistent production between Colorado and Indiana, he fell out of the draft. Early reports, however, suggest he is competing for the starting job. If Benson is able to wrestle the starting job away from Jaylon Moore, he will be one of the biggest stories entering 2026.

Chukwuebuka Godrick

Last season, Godrick gained valuable NFL experience after spending the early part of his career in the NFL's International Player Pathway program. A native of Nigeria, Godrick developed with the Chiefs organization and, in three games last year, proved to be a solid player, allowing no sacks. While he still has a ways to go, he would be at the top of my list of players to make the Kansas City practice squad in 2026, with the potential to be promoted if there are injuries.

Ethan Driskell

Another former UDFA pickup by the Chiefs, Ethan Driskell cracked the opening-day roster after being signed out of Marshall in 2024. Although he has never started a game, the Chiefs brought in Driskell for his sheer athletic ability and raw talent. He has wavered between the practice squad and active roster and will fight hard to make the team again in 2026.

Matt Waletzko

The final UDFA pickup in the Chiefs' offensive line room comes from North Dakota. Waletzko, similar to Driskell, is a big 6-foot-8 offensive tackle known for his incredible length and athletic ability. But as a raw prospect who has a ways to go before he is ready to play in the NFL, the Chiefs will have to make a risk-reward decision. If Waletzko shows enough promise in training camp, the Chiefs may be willing to keep him on the practice squad in hopes that he can develop into an NFL contributor.

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