The Kansas City Chiefs have to fill their left tackle spot,once again. It was already clear that this spot on the offensive line was one of their major team needs for the 2025 offseason, but with the sudden trade of Joe Thuney to the Chicago Bears, hitting at left tackle became even more vital for Kansas City.
The Chiefs still have leaders in Creed Humphrey and Trey Smith to lean on up front. But with Thuney’s departure, Kansas City lost a great mix of leadership, experience, dependability, and trust. Following the Thuney trade, it makes the idea of Kingsley Suamataia moving inside to guard even more likely.
While the free agent market doesn’t have many options for needy teams like the Chiefs, there is a clear favorite who stands out above the rest: Baltimore Ravens tackle Ronnie Stanley. If the Chiefs hope to acquire the veteran’s services, the pressure to land him likely becomes even greater after the move involving Thuney.
Why does Ronnie Stanley stand as the clear best option in free agency for Kansas City? Plus, is he the greatest option the Chiefs could go with to fill the left tackle spot out of all options this offseason?
Minimal Needle-Moving Options In Free Agency
If you’re a team looking to sign an offensive tackle in this year’s free agent class, you have to understand what aisle you are shopping in. Teams will not find many slam-dunk options on the open market. Most of the names available are likely nearing the end of their career or they’ve not consistently seen the field. Some have also held roles that are lesser than being a blindside protector for one of the league’s best quarterbacks.
If the Chiefs cannot land someone of Ronnie Stanley’s stature, here are the top options available to sign. Veterans like Cam Robinson and Tyron Smith begin the list. Elsewhere, Dan Moore Jr., Morgan Moses, and Jedrick Wills Jr. are options with various levels of starting experience. Alaric Jackson would have been an intriguing young choice in free agency. But before he could reach the market, the Los Angeles Rams brought him back on a three-year deal. It is safe to say that even entering his age-31 season, Stanley is three times better for K.C. than anyone else on this list.
Stanley Is Coming Off Stellar Season After Career Hurdles
Ronnie Stanley had one of his best career seasons in 2024—no better time for that, with his latest contract coming to an end. He played and started in all 17 games last season. The ability to remain healthy was a major accomplishment for Stanley. He had a devastating ankle injury in 2020, forcing him to miss all but seven games combined in 2020 and 2021. He did play and start in double-digit games for 2022 and 2023. However, he still missed snaps within certain drives and chunks of time. A knee injury also created issues in that stretch.
The injury history will be tricky to contend with for any team looking to swoop in and sign Stanley. Yet, the fact that the longtime Raven was healthy—and, more importantly, dominant—is key entering his free agency. His pass blocking was the smoothest it had been in an extended stretch in quite some time. ESPN credited Stanley with a 92 percent pass block win rate in 2024. He is also used to facing some elite pass rushers in the AFC North.
Is the Draft Route Really That Beneficial For Kansas City?
The upcoming NFL Draft may be a spot where the Chiefs look to address left tackle. Even if they do not take one early, adding more offensive tackle depth with their selections could easily be fathomable. They drafted three total offensive linemen last year, for instance. However, is going the draft route really that beneficial for Kansas City?
For the last handful of seasons, drafting offensive tackles and developing them has not worked out for the Chiefs. Names like Lucas Niang, Wanya Morris, and Kingsley Suamataia have yet to provide a fair return on investment as former top-100 draft picks, although more time is certainly needed to determine Suamataia’s ultimate fate. Nonetheless, Kansas City may not feel comfortable forcing another top draft choice into the fire at left tackle. Addressing the left tackle spot in some form before the draft has to at least be considered.
Stanley Fits Mold Of Previous Major Swings By Veach
Even with his injury history and being in his early 30s, Ronnie Stanley presents a huge opportunity for the Chiefs. Landing him would fit the category of major swings that general manager Brett Veach has taken. If Kansas City has lost in the Super Bowl or failed to get there, the Chiefs GM generally fixes the biggest weakness in a way that grabs headlines. Getting Ronnie Stanley to protect Patrick Mahomes would do just that.
The Thuney trade opens up some spending capacity for 2025. Could Stanley be the plan that Kansas City is looking to execute? If so, they can secure the stability on the left side of the offensive line that they lose from moving on from Thuney. But if they lose out on landing him, or if Stanley is not the plan, the Chiefs are playing a dangerous game. They have to have something in mind to fix the issue. Kansas City may have to play at or near the top of the market to fill their desperation.
