The Kansas City Chiefs’ struggles to protect quarterback Patrick Mahomes have been no secret, and they’ve played a significant role in the team’s two most recent Super Bowl losses.
The Chiefs made some changes this offseason to try to fix that. They picked Ohio State tackle Josh Simmons in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft and signed former 49ers lineman Jaylon Moore in free agency.
Those two join a young group that includes 2024 second-round pick Kingsley Suamataia and 2023 third-rounder Wanya Morris. But there’s a possible snag—Simmons is still recovering from a knee injury that ended his final college season.
Even with those additions, PFSN’s Brandon Austin says the Chiefs should keep building up the offensive line.
Kansas City’s Offensive Line Troubles
The Chiefs have recently leaned more on their defense, and Mahomes’ numbers have dipped. But the bigger concern is how much pressure he’s faced, more than in his first four seasons.
In 2018, Mahomes had his best year—50 touchdowns and an MVP. Ironically, he also faced the highest pressure rate of his career that season (33.8%). He made it work then, but the last two Super Bowl losses have told a different story.
Take Super Bowl 59, when the Eagles’ defense sacked Mahomes six times, without blitzing.
The @Eagles defense was relentless in Super Bowl LIX 💪
SIX sacks on Mahomes 😤 pic.twitter.com/kNn7et5U7x
— NFL UK & Ireland (@NFLUKIRE) February 14, 2025
Despite Mahomes’ magic under pressure, the Chiefs clearly need stronger protection if they want to keep winning big games.
Chiefs Linked With Former Second-Round Draft Pick
With Simmons coming off a season-ending knee injury and Moore being a four-year backup for the San Francisco 49ers, the Chiefs may want to add some depth.
In a recent article for PFSN, Austin listed one current free agent that each NFL team should consider signing. Looking at the Chiefs’ offensive line, the analyst suggested former New York Giants and Arizona Cardinals lineman Will Hernandez.
“After a somewhat rocky start to his career with the Giants, Will Hernandez has steadily improved over the years. His 2024 campaign unfortunately got cut short due to injury after just five games. During that stretch, he didn’t give up a single sack and allowed just a 5.1% pressure rate. He’s above average in pass protection and would be a solid depth piece at the very least.”
Hernandez has started 13 or more games in five of his seven years in the NFL, including a full 17 games as recently as 2023. The guard posted videos of himself training at an MMA gym this offseason and, at just 29 years old, will feel he has plenty more to give.