KC Chiefs: There will be plenty of competition along the offensive line

The KC Chiefs’ offensive line got wrecked in Super Bowl LV and they’ve made strides in free agency to prevent that from happening again. 

It’s been a busy offseason for the Kansas City Chiefs as far as revamping the offensive line goes. Less than two months after the offensive line got pushed around by the Bucs’ front-four, Brett Veach has taken it upon himself to make sure the o-line is better in 2021 and that will start with these free agent signings stepping in and battling for their jobs.

The first free agent the team brought in to help the o-line was Joe Thuney, who won’t have to battle for the left guard job. The Chiefs didn’t agree to pay Thuney $80 million to have him play out of position, so he’ll be the left guard in the team’s first game of the season, barring injury.

As for the rest of the line, competition will be had at every position.

Even though Laurent Duvernay-Tardif, the team’s starting right guard from 2015-2019, is returning this year after opting out in 2020, it doesn’t mean he’ll be given his old job back. The Chiefs’ second free-agent signing for the o-line was Kyle Long, who has mostly played at right guard during his career. These two could be fighting it out for the starting gig.

The Chiefs recently signed Austin Blythe to a one-year contract and Blythe played at center last year for the Rams. He and former Chiefs seventh-round pick Nick Allegretti should be the two vying for the starting center job, as Allegretti obviously won’t be retaining the left guard position with Thuney in town and will need to find a new position. He played center in college, so this is his likely spot.

The biggest question marks heading into the season, however, are the two tackle spots, especially at left tackle. Right tackle is probably going to come down between Lucas Niang, Mike Remmer (who the team re-signed after a nice year in 2020), and maybe Kyle Long if LDT does get the right guard job. Niang played right tackle at TCU, Remmer filled in for Schwartz there last season, and Long’s best season as a pro was when he played right tackle for the Bears.

Left tackle is a mystery to everyone, as the starter at that position isn’t on the roster right now. Alejandro Villanueva could be an option in free agency, as could Russell Okung, but the team might also look to address this spot in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft.

The KC Chiefs have made sure their offensive line will be better in 2021.

Position battles are always fun to watch play out, but everyone — not just Chiefs fans — will have their eyes on Kansas City’s offensive line this season to see if they’ve improved from their dismal performance in the Super Bowl.

Signing Thuney, who’s only 28 years old and has yet to miss a game in his career, was a really good move for this team. Long might not have played in 2020, but he’s a former three-time Pro Bowler with the Bears and can plug and play in the two spots on the right side of the o-line. Lastly, Blythe gives the Chiefs yet another option at right guard, but he’ll likely compete with Allegretti for the starting center gig.

It’ll be entertaining to see how the final offensive line looks heading into the 2021 season, but Brett Veach has made sure there will be competition to ensure the Kansas City Chiefs have the best possible group protecting Patrick Mahomes.