The Kansas City Chiefs offensive line underwent some changes in free agency, but superstar quarterback Patrick Mahomes is comfortable with the players currently on the roster. Speaking to reporters after practice, the reigning MVP expressed confidence in the tackle situation while praising the interior offensive line as one of the best in the league.
Patrick Mahomes Praises Chiefs Offensive Line, Jawaan Taylor
Patrick Mahomes on the New Signings
After losing Orlando Brown and Andrew Wylie in free agency, the Chiefs had some work to do in order to patch up their offensive line. To counter these losses, the team signed Jawaan Taylor to a massive deal early in free agency and brought in Donovan Smith following the NFL Draft. While there is always some risk to change, Patrick Mahomes seems to believe that both players are capable of filling in for the departed starters.
“I think we’re at a good spot,” Mahomes said. “Obviously, we lost two good tackles this last year and we’re bringing in two guys that have had success at other places so they’re getting familiar with how we do things, the words, what I’m saying at the line of scrimmage and everything like that but as far as talent and work ethic they’re both at the very top of that.”
Of course, the two tackle positions only compromise 40% of the Chiefs starting offensive line. This unit is only as strong as its weakest link, and Mahomes also spent a portion of his interview talking about the abundance of talent at guard and center.
“It helps to have those three guys in the middle to help them through the process of learning a new system and then another position where the depth – I mean if you look at our second O-line you would say that starts a lot of other places”
Is the Confidence in the Chiefs Offensive Line Justified?
As things currently stand, the Chiefs should feel good about four of the five offensive line positions. Jawaan Taylor is coming off a career season, so he might regress to the mean in 2023. However, even if he plays like he did throughout the majority of his career, he can still be a solid starter, even if he won’t justify his contract.
The Chiefs interior offensive line, meanwhile, is worth every bit of praise Mahomes handed out. Trey Smith is probably the weak link here, but that just speaks to how good Joe Thuney and Creed Humphrey are at their respective jobs. Thuney is still playing like a top-five guard, and there is a strong case to be made that Humprey is the best center in the league. As long as these three are healthy, Mahomes will not need to worry about interior pressure.
The biggest question mark here is Donovan Smith. The longtime Tampa Bay Buccaneer is coming off a terrible season, and while he did play hurt, he doesn’t have the best track record. Prior to Tom Brady’s arrival in Tampa, most viewed Smith as a below-average starter. Smith played well during the first two years of the Brady Era, but the seven-time Super Bowl champion’s innate processing ability, quick release, and unmatched pocket awareness makes tackles look a lot better than they actually are.
While he does it in a different manner than Brady, Patrick Mahomes is also good at compromising for poor blocking. As long as Smith isn’t an unmitigated disaster, the Chiefs offensive line should be able to keep Mahomes upright and support one of the best passing attacks in football.
Patrick Mahomes is just built different! 🔥pic.twitter.com/dDcgCS8GOX
— Brad Henson Productions (@BradHensonPro) May 17, 2023
Main Photo: Kirby Lee – USA Today Sports
