The Kansas City Chiefs have made their move at the position of greatest need. Now, Chiefs fans can only hope Jaylon Moore is the answer at left tackle.
On Monday, the Chiefs reportedly landed Moore, formerly of the San Francisco 49ers, on a two-year deal worth up to $30 million.
The NFL opened the "legal tampering period" of free agency to start the week, and the floodgates of new contracts began at that point. The Chiefs were among the first teams to solidify a move in the early going with the signing of Moore as their first free-agent import.
Moore was one of the more promising options in free agency this offseason, and his stock was definitely boosted by a weaker class. However, he did exhibit promise as a backup to Trent Williams who was forced into action for the 49ers this season.
Left tackle has been a position of frustration for the Chiefs for quite some time, and last season, the team leaned on four different players to start in the role of Patrick Mahomes' blindside protector. Kingsley Suamataia, last spring's second-round pick, was the starter in 2024 after a stronger preseason showing, but he flamed out after just two weeks on the job and was essentially redshirted for the year.
Wanya Morris, a 2023 third round pick, was a serviceable backup, but a bone bruise cost him the chance to remain in the role. Morris was also never going to be the long-term answer there without significant development, which is still possible heading into his third NFL season.
The Chiefs did sign D.J. Humphries late in November, but a hamstring injury kept him from seizing the starting spot after two games, and the Chiefs decided to switch All-Pro guard Joe Thuney to tackle instead. Thuney was the starter for the remainder of the year, including the loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LIX.
The Chiefs already chased Ronnie Stanley, per reports, but the Baltimore Ravens kept him off the market with a ripe new deal worth up to $60 million over three seasons.
Moore will be the presumed favorite for the role outside, but the Chiefs still have Suamataia and Morris in the mix to go with right tackle Jawaan Taylor. The upcoming NFL Draft might also yield furtehr competition and depth.
