What began as an interesting coincidence has turned into a trend. With the signing of Lucas Niang, the Washington Commanders have revealed a clear affinity for former Kansas City Chiefs offensive linemen.
The Commanders signed Niang to a one-year deal on Wednesday, giving them further offensive line depth in the wake of Nate Herbig's rather surprising retirement.
While Niang lacks experience along the offensive interior, where Herbig played, his presence allows Washington to shift other parts (or maybe they experiment with Niang inside).
Lucas NIang is the latest in a line of offensive line signings by the Commanders away from the Chiefs.
Niang is a former third-round pick by the Chiefs out of TCU in the 2020 NFL Draft, a season complicated by COVID-19 restrictions. Niang decided to opt out of the entire year to start his career, and unfortunately, that season was one where the tackle position was decimated by injuries to both Eric Fisher and Mitchell Schwartz. (Mike Remmers became a long-term starter, if that tells you anything.)
Even after returning, injuries kept Niang from being able to show what he could do consistently for the Chiefs. A shoulder issue, a rib injury, a knee problem—they were all part of the equation that kept a young prospect from finding the reps needed to develop his game. In the end, the Chiefs would splurge on Jawaan Taylor in order to be done with any right tackle concerns.
The pipeline at work between the Chiefs and Commanders offensive lines is very intriguing at this point. The first arrival in recent years was the signing of Andrew Wylie in free agency to a three-year deal back in 2023. Wylie's arrival raised the floor at right tackle, where he's started over the last two seasons, and provided some added security with his versatility to play inside, if needed.
Last year, the Commanders added another Chiefs veteran to the mix by signing Nick Allegretti after his rookie contract with the Chiefs had expired. Allegretti earned a three-year deal worth up to $15 million from Washington, and he ended up starting all 17 games in front of Jayden Daniels in 2024.
Niang is the latest contestant to enter the picture from K.C., giving the team three former teammates on Super Bowl champion rosters. However, all three also face questions about playing time as Washington continues to rewire the line in front of Daniels. The team has imported other free agents and draft picks—including Laremy Tunsil and Josh Conerly Jr.—while dealing with injuries (Sam Cosmi).
Regardless, Niang at least has a chance to show what he can do in an NFL training camp, which was the opportunity he needed. And he'll have a couple of familiar faces to turn to if some help is required.