Kansas City Chiefs HC Andy Reid revealed to reporters the team’s plan for the offensive tackle position.
Early on in the offseason, the team tabbed free-agent acquisition Jawaan Taylor as a player who could move from right tackle to the left tackle position. That plan was called into question when the Chiefs signed former Buccaneers LT Donovan Smith in free agency just last week.
Speaking to reporters for the first time since that move, Reid was asked about which player would play where.
“He’ll be with the left side, yes,” Reid said of Smith. “Probably with the 1’s.”
“Yes, we’ll move him over to the right,” Reid said of Taylor.
So, Smith will probably be the first-team left tackle and Taylor will probably be the first-team right tackle. That’d leave Kansas City with a starting offensive line of Donovan Smith (LT), Joe Thuney (LG), Creed Humphrey (C), Trey Smith (RG) and Jawaan Taylor (RT).
As for what the Chiefs saw in Smith to make him the new starting left tackle in Kansas City, Reid had nothing but high praise for the ninth-year NFL veteran.
“Yeah, so, he’s been a left tackle at a high level,” Reid said. “Last year, he was hurt, but the year before that he was a top-graded left tackle in the league. We’ve had a chance to play against him a couple of times and see him firsthand there. He’s a good football player.”
It’s always possible that the Chiefs could pivot during various stages of the offseason program, but for now, the message is clear. Smith will start at left tackle and Taylor will remain on the right side when OTAs begin later this month.
