Quietly, one of the more exciting stories at the end of a miserable 2025 Kansas City Chiefs season was the emergence of Esa Pole. The 24-year-old was given a chance at tackle due to a seemingly endless string of injuries at the position. Pole responded with one lone sack given up in 275 offensive snaps played, showing a shocking level of capability. This helps explain why the Chiefs appear to be nudging the tackle as a potential path into the team's starting lineup.
Arrowhead Corner offered the following update as OTAs have begun: "According to HC Andy Reid, OT Esa Pole is getting rotational reps with the first-team offense at right tackle. He says that it's apparent that Pole worked hard this offseason." This is great news and speaks to perhaps some surprise depth emerging at a position that has previously been a bit of a question mark for the franchise.
Jawaan Taylor was cut and signed with the Atlanta Falcons in free agency, leaving second-year left tackle Josh Simmons and swing tackle Jaylon Moore as the assumed starters. It seems that KC doesn't see it this way, giving Pole a chance to prove the offseason work he has put in and perhaps become a surprise starting option.
Chiefs could have surprise offensive starter emerging after Esa Pole's early performance
Pole has a difficult battle ahead with Moore, having far more experience and a known floor. The Chiefs have every reason to be cautious with the tackle position, with Patrick Mahomes coming off the first serious injury of his career. Kansas City needs to protect its quarterback and will need to be completely sold on Pole's progress to put the tackle into the starting lineup.
Still, it seems that there has been enough progression that the early OTAs performance has Pole in the running and will give him a clear shot at a roster spot. The most sensible decision would be starting Moore and Simmons as planned, with Pole as the extra lineman and swing tackle.
Regardless of the decision, this gives KC fans an exciting side plot to focus on throughout the summer. Pole wasn't expected to fight for a meaningful role as a borderline roster piece even after last year's experience. It seems that offseason progression has drastically changed this and left the tackle as a clear starting option. One that could be incredibly affordable and perhaps hand the franchise yet another development success story.
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