Arrowhead Pride
On Tuesday, the Kansas City Chiefs officially traded offensive tackle Wanya Morris (and a seventh-round pick) to the Atlanta Falcons for a sixth-round pick, ending his tenure in Kansas City.
The Chiefs drafted Morris out of Oklahoma with the 92nd overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. Over three seasons in Kansas City, Morris started at left tackle for stretches and filled in as the team’s swing tackle, starting 16 games while playing in 43.
Last week, it was reported that Morris was seeking a larger role, and a few days later, the trade was agreed to.
Morris will leave to compete for a starting job with the Falcons, but this move more signifies that the Chiefs are comfortable with the offensive tackle depth and even with reserve players’ ability to fill in when needed.
The Chiefs do not have a full-time starter returning at either tackle position this upcoming season, even with Josh Simmons looking to become a stalwart at left tackle.
Right tackle is feeling more and more like the starting job is up in the air.
Sixth-year lineman Jaylon Moore will likely be given the first crack at winning the right tackle job, but he has company, according to head coach Andy Reid.
Second-year player Esa Pole will return to the team after starting the final four games of last season at left tackle after injuries to Simmons and Morris. With Simmons, the future of the left side of the offensive line, Pole is available to compete with Moore on the right side.
Moore will benefit from experience, and given his salary cap number for the season ($14.20 million), he should be expected to be start once we get to Week 1.
Moore is a technician who plays sound football, which should be expected of a multi-year veteran, but Pole has a much higher ceiling given his physical gifts.
Last season, Pole bounced from the Chiefs to the New York Jets, then back to Kansas City; he went from an undrafted free agent to a starter at left tackle by season’s end.
In limited looks, Pole played well and used his large frame and quick feet to win snaps. He did receive plenty of help from slide protection and chip blocks, but seeing the UDFA adapt to the NFL game is encouraging for the team.
Between these two players, there will likely be both the starting right tackle and the team’s top swing tackle for 2026.
The Chiefs will still have room on the roster for one or two tackles to possibly make the active roster, and there are a few names to look at.
Driskell made the active roster at the start of the 2024 season after shining in training camp and the preseason. Last season did not go as planned for Driskell, as he spent the entire season inactive after undergoing an appendectomy during training camp. Despite the setback, Driskell still has a tremendous blend...
