Don’t despair, Patrick Mahomes! Help is on the way. After the debacle of Super Bowl LIX, in which their offensive line collapsed like a house of cards, the Kansas City Chiefs took note and are looking to sign the best available bodyguard for their quarterback. Although the name might be unfamiliar to many.
The Philadelphia Eagles defensive line easily dominated the trenches in the February 9 game, sacking Mahomes six times for a loss of 31 yards and paving the way for the crushing 40-22 victory.
The statistic is not entirely a surprise. Mahomes and offensive coordinator Matt Nagy struggled with the left tackle all season. Three players were in the mix at the position: rookie Kingsley Sumataia, Wanya Morris, and veteran DJ Humphries; they even tried left guard Joe Thuney, but none of them were up to par.
So the front office, led by owner Clark Hunt, decided to go out into the market in search of someone to watch Mahomes’ back, and they’re targeting a free agent who’s flying way under the radar.
Who are the Chiefs looking for?
According to USA Today insider Jon Edigar, the Chiefs could snatch up Super Bowl LVI champion Alaric Jackson from the Los Angeles Rams to protect Mahomes’ blind side and end the parade of players at the position.
Jackson isn’t the most dazzling player in free agency, but he’s watched Matthew Stafford’s back the past four seasons, and his price tag could fit within the Chiefs’ limited salary cap.
A graduate of the University of Iowa, Jackson came to the NFL undrafted in 2021 by the Rams. In 2024, he signed a one-year, $4.9 million contract and is now an unrestricted free agent within the Chiefs’ reach.
What else will the Chiefs buy in free agency?
According to Edigar, Kansas City could be looking to land the services of New Orleans Saints linebacker Chase Young and Cincinnati Bengals defensive back Mike Hamilton. Both are about to hit free agency unless their respective teams want to retain them.
On the other hand, the Chiefs’ front office could be thinking about extending the contracts of receiver Marquise Brown and defensive tackle Tershawn Wharton. If they can clear all the salary cap hurdles, the team will come back stronger than ever next year and will be the AFC’s strongest contender for the Super Bowl.
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