Four questions surrounding the future of the KC Chiefs offensive line
By John McCarty
The KC Chiefs offensive line, at least on paper, appears to be in a good place for next season, but there are definitely still some lingering questions.
While both are now injured, Eric Fisher and Mitchell Schwartz — who are typically the starting offensive tackles for the Kansas City Chiefs — are under contract next season. Current left guard Nick Allegretti will return next season, as will top reserve Martinas Rankin as he appears to have recovered from a leg injury that cost him a vast majority of this season.
Also scheduled to return for next season are opt-outs Laurent Duvarney-Tardiff and third-round pick Lucas Niang, who would have been a rookie this year had he played. If we want to look at it, the Chiefs will have four offensive linemen back with the team (we hope) at the 2021 training camp that will not be on the field for the Super Bowl. In fact, the only key offensive linemen currently not under contract are center Austin Reiter, guard Andrew Wylie, and tackle Mike Remmers.
With all that optimism, one would think fans should feel confident about the Chiefs offensive line and where things stand in the future. While fans should feel optimistic, there are questions that will need to be answered and perhaps depth that will need to be addressed. While things appear good on paper, as Chiefs fans know, games are not played on paper.
Questions Surrounding KC Chiefs Offensive Line – No. 1: How will Eric Fisher’s injury impact the line?
The recovery of Fisher and his Achilles injury is the paramount discussion point for the Chiefs offensive line discussion. Can he be ready to go by opening day on Sept. 9? That is the big date and the concern.
Recovering from this surgery can take time, and can the big man be healed enough to play? Kansas City has Rankin under contract who was a left tackle in college and did play the left side during the Week 17 game against the Chargers. While the Chiefs have someone that can play that position, everyone would feel better if Fisher was over on that spot.