The Kansas City Chiefs made protecting Patrick Mahomes their No.1 priority this offseason. Kansas City began its offseason by franchising tagging left guard Trey Smith. Then, they signed former San Francisco 49ers left tackle Jaylon Moore to a two-year deal worth $30 million. Finally, the Chiefs drafted Ohio State left tackle Josh Simmons to be their left tackle of the future, with the potential to play this year.
That said, Kansas City also traded All-Pro left guard Joe Thuney to the Chicago Bears for cap savings. Thnuey's exit means that the Chiefs must find a replacement for him. While Kingsley Suamataia seems to be in the lead for the job, many Chiefs fans are afraid of seeing him on the field again after he failed at left tackle last year.
Fortunately, there are still a few veteran guards who are free agents. Former Arizona Cardinals guard Will Hernandez is one such player. Though there are reasons to have a pause on signing Hernandez, Kansas City should consider bringing him in to compete for a starting job before the season starts.
Kansas City Should Consider Adding Will Hernandez to Their Competition at Left Guard
The Chiefs have experience bringing in former Cardinals veteran linemen who remain in free agency due to injuries. Last December, Kansas City signed former Cardinals left tackle D.J. Humphries, who was coming off a torn ACL, to help patch their left tackle situation. Unfortunately, Humphries failed at patching the position.
Like Humphries, Hernandez is coming off a knee injury, which is likely why he remains unsigned. Yet, he, too, could compete for a starting job on the offensive line if he is truly healthy. Though Hernandez played right guard during his time in Arizona, he does have experience playing on the left side in the NFL.
During his first four seasons in the NFL with the New York Giants, the 29-year-old played left guard. In that span, he allowed 15 sacks, 21 QB hits, 85 QB hurries and 121 QB pressures. Furthermore, in two of those four seasons, he finished with a pass blocking grade above 70.0. Despite the fact that he did not play great overall, Hernandez was playing alongside a pretty bad offensive line during his time in New York.
Be that as it may, Hernandez's experience as an above-average starter in the NFL would provide Kansas City more flexibility. Still, the fact that a former Cardinal failed to return successfully from an injury last season with the Chiefs is enough reason not to attempt it again.
Nonetheless, if Kansas City ends up not liking what they see from their left guards during training camp, Hernandez will be general manager Brett Veach's first call.