Two years ago, the Kansas City Chiefs won the Orlando Brown Jr. sweepstakes, trading for the mountainous left tackle. In doing so, the Chiefs sent the 31st pick, plus three mid-round selections. Now, after protecting Patrick Mahomes’ blindside for the past two seasons, including in their Super Bowl LVII victory, Brown is set to enter free agency.
It’s a similar story to last season, but the Chiefs avoided disaster by placing the franchise tag on their left tackle. That won’t be the case this year, as Kansas City has already decided not to double down, allowing the 6-foot-8, 360-pound lineman to test the open market.
In turn, the Chiefs need a new left tackle, arguably one of the most important positions in football. Being that this job description also comes with the task of keeping a two-time MVP clean and healthy, we wouldn’t expect the Chiefs to not have a strong plan in place by the time the 2023 season kicks off. With that, here are four potential solutions at left tackle for Chiefs Nation to think about over the next few weeks.
Related: Top NFL free agents of 2023: Rankings the best players available from 1-400
Sign three-time Pro Bowl tackle Taylor Lewan
Nine years after making Taylor Lewan the 11th pick, the Tennesee Titans have released the 31-year-old three-time Pro Bowl left tackle. Surely making the rounds speaking with teams at the NFL Combine, Lewan spoke of wanting to get his knee right before signing a contract this offseason. Being that he was only able to suit up for two games this past season, that’s probably a good call.
Yet, once Lewan’s knee gets closer to 100%, he’s likely to draw plenty of interest from contending teams. Typically better in pass protection than as a run blocker, he would appear to have the ideal skillset to help ensure Mahomes stays upright.
Having missed a total of 30 games in the past three years and not making it through a full season since 2017, Lewan likely won’t break the bank as a free agent. But those same durability concerns could lead Kansas City to look elsewhere this offseason.
Chiefs swing trade for Tyron Smith
One player who may be on the trade block is eight-time Pro Bowl tackle Tyron Smith, who has spent all 11 of his seasons with the Dallas Cowboys. As we all know, Smith doesn’t have a Super Bowl ring yet, but the Chiefs are getting pretty good at chasing the Lombardi Trophy around and could give the aging veteran a lifeline.
Smith is 32 years old, and he has also battled several injuries in recent years, missing 32 games in the past three years. He also hasn’t made it through a full season since 2015. Making matters worse, he also holds a large cap number for the 2023 season, and the Cowboys may have already drafted his long-term replacement with the selection of Tyler Smith with the 24th pick last year.
- Tyron Smith contract in 2023: $17.6M cap hit – Final year of contract with Dallas
Smith could be seeking a contract extension, knowing he’s in the last year of his deal, but he hasn’t merited more money. Not after playing just 271 snaps last season. The Cowboys could opt to cut Smith loose, yet if the Chiefs come calling, offering a mid-round pick, well that’s better than nothing.
Related: 2023 NFL franchise tag numbers: A look at who has been tagged and values
David Bakhtiari brings All-Pro résumé to Kansas City
What’s going to happen with Aaron Rodgers? If he leaves, could another long-time Green Bay Packers player want out too? Aging vets don’t want to go through a rebuild, and while there’s no guarantee the Packers will struggle with Jordan Love, he’s also no sure thing.
What would you do? Bet on Love, or bet on Mahomes? That’s what we thought. Plus, the Packers could see the value on ‘selling high’ on Bakhtiari, in a sense. Last year we were all wondering about the long-term durability of the now 31-year-old’s knees, but he managed to make it through 11 games this past season, returning to his elite form.
At his best, Bakhtiari is one of the best pass protectors in the NFL, and he proved this last year, allowing zero sacks while receiving a fantastic 87.8 pass block grade per Pro Football Focus. Having missed the boat in Green Bay, he may want a chance at winning a ring as his career winds down. What better place to do that than in Kansas City?
Related: 2023 NFL mock draft: Chicago Bears trade down multiple times, QBs fill top 10
Kansas City Chiefs trade for Laremy Tunsil
Here we go. The ultimate prize. Certainly the best long-term solution the Chiefs could possibly come up with this offseason, Laremy Tunsil could be up for grabs. The three-time Pro Bowl tackle is still just 28 but is entering the final year of his contract and is looking at a large payday.
Do the Texans want to back up the Brinks truck before they know if their competitive timeline has begun? Sure, trading him would leave a gaping hole at left tackle right before they’re expected to draft their franchise QB, but he’d likely also net a first-round pick or at least a second-round selection plus more, at the very least.
Tunsil is one of the best left tackles in football and doesn’t appear anywhere close to slowing down any time soon. He recorded a nearly immaculate 91.7 PFF pass block grade last season, which was the best in the NFL among tackles. The Chiefs hold the 32nd and 64th picks in this year’s draft, and while they may have captured lightning in a bottle with Creed Humphrey, doing so again is no sure bet. If a Tunsil trade is on the table, the Chiefs would be foolish not to pay the price.
