The Chiefs are expected to make roster moves in the next week, but the most interesting area to watch may be the interior offensive line.
That’s the read from Jesse Newell of The Athletic, who thinks Kansas City could be looking for help inside after seeing how the coaching staff has handled Trey Smith’s extended absence in St. Joseph. Smith has been out for two weeks of practice, along with the preseason games around them, because of a hip injury that sent him to a specialist.
Andy Reid has said repeatedly that the injury is not viewed as a long-term problem, and with three weeks left before the regular season begins, the expectation still appears to be that Smith will be back at right guard when the Chiefs open against the Denver Broncos in Week 1.
Still, Newell sees the recent first-team work for Kahlil Benson and Jaylon Moore at right guard as a clue that the depth behind Smith is thin. Kansas City has Mike Caliendo back on a one-year deal, plus Hunter Nourzad and C.J.
Hanson on rookie contracts, with rookie free agents Pete Nygra and Josh Thompson also in the mix. Newell’s conclusion was blunt: "Don’t be surprised if the Chiefs look to upgrade this spot over the next few weeks."
Smith’s injury has also complicated the right tackle battle, because the Chiefs have had to move bodies around instead of letting that competition fully play out. Any newcomer on the right side would need time to build chemistry with Smith, but for now both players have been shifted inside.
Newell reads that as a sign of concern about the interior backups, though it could also be Kansas City trying to keep its tackles ready for first-team snaps while adding some versatility. The Chiefs already know what they have in Caliendo, while Benson is still a work in progress.
The bigger issue is that Smith’s recent availability has raised questions. He signed a long-term extension early in 2025 after never missing a start in his first four seasons, but last year he missed five games because of injury and is now sidelined again in the preseason. If the Chiefs are worried a backup may need real snaps, Caliendo’s previous ceiling has looked limited.
There’s also the simple fact that Nourzad and Hanson have not yet emerged as clear answers. Kansas City spent two draft picks on interior linemen in the 2023 NFL Draft, but Caliendo still remains the main option when the Chiefs need help at multiple spots, even if that looks like a temporary fix. That may be part of why the team is eager to see whether Nygra can settle in after first-preseason-action nerves.
There are still veteran options on the market, including Andre James and Will Hernandez. Andrew Voorhees of the Baltimore Ravens or Jake Andrews of the Houston Texans could also become available. The frustrating part for Kansas City is that the Chiefs may now need to patch yet another spot, even though there are other areas that already need obvious upgrades.
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