For most of the Patrick Mahomes era, blindside protection has been an elusive issue for the Kansas City Chiefs. They hoped to get ahead of that by taking Josh Simmons in the first round of the 2025 NFL draft, but they may not be entirely sold on him yet after only playing eight games as a rookie.
Simmons showed potential when he was available, but he missed time with an undisclosed family matter and an injury. Also, with Jawaan Taylor no longer in the picture, the Chiefs might want to give Simmons a look at right tackle instead.
That's why the Detroit Lions may have gift-wrapped the Chiefs a solution to their problems. The Lions released Taylor Decker after he requested his release next month, and that split may have given Kansas City the ideal stopgap at left tackle for Patrick Mahomes.
Taylor Decker Could Help Chiefs' LT Situation
While not a superstar, Taylor Decker is a 10-year veteran and a former Pro Bowler. The Chiefs aren't strangers to handing out one-year deals, so he could be a placeholder while they find another right tackle to move Simmons back to the left and develop a left tackle.
Simmons began his collegiate career at San Diego State on the right side of the line before moving to the left with the Ohio State Buckeyes, so he's shown an ability to make an impact regardless. Also, Decker would probably give the Chiefs a better chance than the likes of Jaylon Moore, Wanya Morris, or Esa Pole, the other current options, especially when comparing their career experience
Taylor Decker | Jaylon Moore | Wanya Morris | Esa Pole | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Career Games | 140 | 70 | 43 | 5 |
Career Starts | 140 | 18 | 16 | 4 |
Career Snaps | 9,134 | 1,254 | 1,139 | 275 |
Decker is a good, not great, blind-side protector. While he won't have Penei Sewell wreaking havoc and drawing double teams by his side in Kansas City, he's probably the best option the Chiefs can aspire to right now.
While Pro Football Focus gave him a 67.9 overall grade, ranking 41st among 89 eligible tackles, the numbers and the eye test are better than what their algorithm suggests. He gave up 33 pressures, but he was only responsible for three QB hits and two sacks.
Discipline could be an issue, though, as he was called for five penalties, and Decker has reached that number in all but one of his 10 seasons in the league. That said, it's hard to believe it could get any worse than with Simmons, who made the podium for the most penalties every year in Missouri.
With most big-name free agents off the board, signing Decker is the best of Kansas City's remaining options. He'd help the Chiefs avoid using a first-round pick on an offensive tackle, instead addressing another need or securing the best player available, regardless of position.
Decker is a proven veteran who could be motivated by the chance to win his first Super Bowl ring, and the Chiefs could be the perfect team to dangle that carrot while simultaneously filling a key need.