Given that offensive tackle has been the number one talking point of the Kansas City Chiefs' offseason, it's curious that one player in the competitive mix has gone completely overlooked.
Wanya Morris, a third-year offensive tackle for the Chiefs, has found himself waiting for someone to notice him this spring. Jaylon Moore, Josh Simmons, Jawaan Taylor, and even Kingsley Suamataia have all been discussed ad nauseum, yet somehow Morris's name is never brought up.
Is that really what it's come to for Morris?
There's no denying that the Chiefs aren't pushing Morris into a starting role this season, at least to start. In fact, it would be quite shocking if Morris ended up starting another stretch of games as he did in his first two years in the league. But given his history of ending up in a starting role, it might also be unwise to write him off.
It's odd that Wanya Morris's name is never mentioned despite so much talk about offensive tackles.
Let's not forget that Morris was a third-round choice as recently as 2023. The Chiefs liked what they saw in the Oklahoma product and selected him at No. 92 overall, between their choices of wide receiver Rashee Rice and defensive back Chamarri Conner. If the Chiefs liked Morris's pro potential only two years ago, it's far too early to say he's never going to grow into a potential starter.
Then again, the Chiefs have also made it quite clear they're eyeing other competitors for the leading roles. Taylor is returning for a third season at right tackle as the presumed starter. Meanwhile, the Chiefs signed Moore to a two-year deal in free agency to vie for reps on the left side only to follow that up with a first-round draft choices invested in Simmons.
The Chiefs have referenced a trio of competitors for two starting roles, which leaves Morris on the outside looking in. Even Suamataia has filled in at tackle in offseason training activities while some tackle options are banged up.
In a way, it's odd because it feels like Morris doesn't even exist, as if he hasn't started 15 games in the last two years for a championship contender. There's no other player on the team who has been at least a spot starter who has become this overlooked (and perhaps underappreciated). Would the Chiefs have even made the move to bring in D.J. Humphries in 2024 if Morris hadn't been injured?
No one is arguing here that Morris should be mentioned as a potential starter at left tackle at this stage. The Chiefs keep making investments in external options, which speaks volumes about how they view their internal ones. But Morris has, at least, given the Chiefs a predictable floor for two seasons now in the wake of other failures. And as a young player himself, is it possible his best football lies ahead?
At the very least, it's worth mentioning Morris's name because no one else is doing so. The conversation around the Chiefs tackles is already robust, but it's also proven exclusive.
