The Chiefs started by signing former San Francisco 49ers’ tackle Jaylon Moore to a two-year contract worth $30 million. Weeks later, they addressed the position again by taking Ohio State’s Josh Simmons in the first round of the NFL Draft.
Early in the season, the double dip looked like an overcorrection. Simmons started the year at left tackle, initially rendering Moore an expensive bench option. But now that Simmons is likely to miss a third consecutive game while dealing with a family matter, acquiring both players appears to have been a shrewd decision.
After turning in a disappointing 0-2 start, Kansas City has now won four of its past five games with offense that now seems capable of scoring at will. Before Thursday’s practice, head coach Andy Reid noted the importance of the offensive line’s play in a unit that has scored at 30 points in three of its last four outings.
“I think every coach would say that if the line is doing good,” he said, “you’re willing to call certain things — or not call certain things.”
Lining up against top pass rushers, Moore has played well in the last two weeks. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes has noticed.
“He’s been ready,” said the two-time MVP. “[Moore] comes to work every single day. [He’s] a true pro. He comes to work with the mentality of being ready for that next snap. He’s done it all throughout training camp — and now he’s done it in the regular season. That’s the reason that he’s here.”