The Kansas City Chiefs knew that one of the biggest needs that had to be addressed this offseason was the offensive line.
After Patrick Mahomes got sacked a career-high 36 times in the regular season, plus getting obliterated in the Super Bowl by the Philadelphia Eagles (11 total in three playoff games), it was time for the offensive line to get an overhaul.
Trey Smith was franchise-tagged, keeping the star guard for at least 2025, but fellow guard Joe Thuney, who was used as a makeshift left tackle in 2024, was traded to the Chicago Bears.
That meant a hole at left tackle, and it was one that the Chiefs filled with the signing of former San Francisco 49ers backup Jaylon Moore on a two-year deal. But is that enough?
NFL.com’s Daniel Jeremiah doesn’t think so and in his latest mock, the Chiefs add another tackle to their ranks, with Ohio State’s Josh Simmons coming to the AFC champs.
“I know the Chiefs signed Jaylon Moore in free agency, but I’m not so sure Simmons won’t ultimately be the better option for them at left tackle,” Jeremiah writes. “Regardless, building quality depth up front would seem like a wise move based on the issues they dealt with last season.”
If this move comes to fruition, the Chiefs will have Moore, Simmons, Wanya Morris, and Kingsley Suamataia as the left tackle options.
It is thought that Suamataia could get the first crack at left guard, which would give the Chiefs some flexibility along the line.
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But will those moves be enough to quell the doubts over Mahomes’ protection? Possibly, but we won’t know until training camp or when live NFL bullets are flying.
Either way, the Chiefs have addressed the left tackle position, sort of, and in Simmons, the franchise gets a tackle, who while is coming off a knee injury, could very well replace Moore down the line as the starter.