The Kansas City Chiefs have once again demonstrated that they understand their own roster far better than much of the national media. Throughout the offseason, analysts and draft experts repeatedly claimed the team needed to select an offensive tackle early in the draft, whether at No. 9 overall or later in the first round. Names like Spencer Fano, Francis Mauigoa, Monroe Freeling, and Cayden Proctor were frequently mentioned as potential targets. The prevailing narrative was that the departure of Jawaan Taylor left a significant hole at right tackle that required immediate attention through the draft.
The Chiefs never shared that urgency. Instead, they have quietly built legitimate depth at the position and are now exploring the possibility of moving one of their own offensive tackles. According to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN, the organization and Wanya Morris have agreed to explore trade options. Morris, a 2023 third-round pick out of Oklahoma, has expressed a desire for more consistent playing time, and the Chiefs believe they have enough bodies at tackle to accommodate that request while potentially recouping some draft capital.
Morris has appeared in 16 games with 11 starts during his career, the majority coming in 2024. He has logged more than 1,000 snaps at left tackle and has also seen limited action at right tackle and guard, giving him valuable versatility as a swing piece. However, his production has been uneven. Over his career he has allowed 62 pressures, 16 quarterback hits, and nine sacks. Those numbers, combined with a season-ending knee injury suffered early in 2025 against the Houston Texans, have left him in a difficult position heading into 2026.
The injury occurred on the very first offensive play of a game, a cruel twist that derailed what was supposed to be a developmental year. Morris was carted off the field at Arrowhead Stadium, and the severity of the damage was immediately apparent. Now healthy enough to participate in offseason activities, he finds himself competing for a roster spot against several players who have already shown they can contribute at a higher level.
The most notable of those players is Asa Pole, who stepped into significant playing time last season and performed well enough to earn a legitimate opportunity heading into training camp. Pole’s emergence directly impacted Morris’s role and highlighted the kind of internal development the Chiefs have come to expect from their offensive line room. Jaylen Moore remains the frontrunner to start at right tackle after signing a two-year, $30 million deal that includes an $18 million cap hit for 2026. Moore gained valuable experience late in 2025 when injuries forced him into extended action, and the organization is counting on him to take the next step.
Behind Moore and Pole sits Ethan Driscoll, a big, athletic player whom offensive line coach Andy Heck has long admired. Driscoll’s background is primarily at left tackle, but his athletic traits give the coaching staff flexibility to develop him at multiple spots. Perhaps the most intriguing name in the group is undrafted free agent Khalil Benson. Benson was not offered a contract immediately after the draft and participated in rookie mini-camp on a tryout basis. His performance was strong enough to earn a contract, and he has already taken reps with the first-team offense during mandatory mini-camp. His combination of length, athletic testing numbers, and national championship experience at Indiana has made him a legitimate part of the conversation at right tackle.
This level of competition is exactly why the Chiefs feel comfortable exploring a trade for Morris. They are not in a position of desperation. They are in a position of abundance, and they would prefer to extract some value — likely a fifth- or sixth-round pick — rather than simply release Morris in the final year of his rookie contract. A fourth-round return would be considered a strong outcome given his recent injury history and uneven production. Any return at all would be viewed as a win compared with cutting him outright.
The broader offensive line picture reinforces why the Chiefs are not panicking about losing Morris. They have invested heavily in the interior of the unit in recent years, and that investment is beginning to pay dividends. Left tackle Josh Simmons has shown impressive physical development and is adding weight with the goal of reaching 300 pounds by the start of the season. Left guard Kingsley Suamataia has continued to improve in his second year at the position. Creed Humphrey remains one of the premier centers in football. Right guard Trey Smith provides a powerful anchor in both the run and pass games. That stability across the middle three spots gives the coaching staff the luxury of taking their time to evaluate options at right tackle.
The addition of Kenneth Walker III in free agency further enhances the value of this offensive line group. Walker’s vision, burst, and ability to make defenders miss in space should allow the offensive line to operate in a more diverse set of run concepts. The Chiefs are no longer simply asking their linemen to win one-on-one pass protection battles on obvious passing downs. They are building a more balanced attack that utilizes the athleticism of Simmons, Suamataia, Humphrey, and Smith in the run game as well. A stronger ground attack also creates play-action opportunities that can help protect Patrick Mahomes and reduce the number of times he is forced into extended, improvisational plays.
The irony of the current situation is not lost on those who have followed the team closely. While national media members who do not cover the Chiefs on a daily basis were convinced the team had a glaring need at tackle, the organization itself never shared that assessment. Brett Veach even acknowledged after the draft that the team had successfully created the perception they might select a tackle, when in reality their evaluations pointed elsewhere. The decision to add Walker and continue developing internal options at tackle reflects a clear understanding of where the roster actually needed attention.
For Morris, the situation is unfortunate but not uncommon in the NFL. Third-round picks are expected to develop into starters, and when that development stalls or injuries intervene, roster spots become difficult to secure. The Chiefs are not abandoning him out of malice. They are making a pragmatic roster decision in a crowded room. Morris still has traits that could appeal to another team — his size, length, and experience at multiple positions along the line make him a low-risk developmental piece for a club willing to bet on his recovery from the knee injury.
Training camp will provide the clearest picture of where everyone stands. Once pads come on and live competition begins, the hierarchy at right tackle should clarify quickly. The player who consistently wins his individual battles and shows the ability to execute the scheme under pressure will earn the starting opportunity. Others will settle into backup or swing roles. Some may find themselves on the practice squad or looking for opportunities elsewhere.
What is already clear is that the Chiefs’ offensive line is not the weakness many outside observers assumed it would be. The interior is strong, the investment in young talent is paying off, and the addition of a dynamic running back like Walker should make the entire group more effective. The decision to explore a trade for Wanya Morris is not a sign of panic. It is a sign of confidence in the depth they have built and a willingness to manage the roster proactively rather than reactively.
Chiefs Kingdom has watched this organization make similar calculated moves for years. The results have spoken for themselves. While the national media continues to operate from a distance, the team continues to evaluate its own players, develop its own talent, and make decisions based on what it actually sees on the field. The current situation at offensive tackle is simply the latest example of that approach in action.
The coming weeks will determine whether Morris finds a new home and how the competition among Moore, Pole, Driscoll, and Benson ultimately resolves. Whatever happens, the Chiefs appear comfortable with the position group they have assembled. That comfort was earned through investment, development, and an honest assessment of their own roster — something that cannot be replicated by those watching from afar.
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