NFL insider suggests Chiefs could address key position by trading for former first round pick
The Kansas City Chiefs might need to address the left tackle position depending on what Orlando Brown does in free agency
There's a good chance the Kansas City Chiefs have to find a new left tackle this offseason.
Kansas City declined to place the franchise tag on left tackle Orlando Brown Jr earlier this month, which means he's set to hit free agency when the new league year starts this week.
The Chiefs could still work out an extension with Brown, but after failing to come to an agreement last offseason, it seems unlikely that an agreement on an extension will be reached between the two parties.
If the Chiefs aren't able to bring Brown back in 2023, ESPN's Dan Graziano thinks Kansas City should call the Houston Texans and inquire about offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil.
Graziano noted that Tunsil, the No. 13 overall selection in the 2016 NFL Draft, has just one year remaining on his contract.
The Texans, in theory, could choose to trade Tunsil and at least get some draft picks out of him instead of watching him walk in free agency next offseason (the franchise tag could also be an option if Houston doesn't extend him).
From ESPN: One potential trade target I'm watching is Houston left tackle Laremy Tunsil. The Texans have resisted trading him in recent years, but he has just one year and a nonguaranteed $18.5 million left on his contract and could be a target of the Chiefs if they aren't able to bring back Orlando Brown Jr.
Tunsil reportedly wants to be the highest-paid offensive tackle in the NFL. So if the Chiefs were to make a move for him this offseason, they'd put themselves in the same situation they've been in with Brown the last two seasons (Kansas City sent a first-round pick to the Baltimore Ravens in early 2021 for Brown).
I'm not sure that's an ideal situation for the Chiefs. If Kansas City doesn't give Brown a big contract, what makes us think they'd give Tunsil one?
The only way this makes sense for the Chiefs is if they decide Tunsil is worth paying or if they can get him for a day-two pick and they're content with only having him for a season or two.
If Kansas City goes the latter route, they'll need to select a left tackle in the 2023 NFL Draft to give the franchise a longterm option to develop.
