The Kansas City Chiefs have made a concerted effort to retool their offensive line this offseason—but there’s still one box left unchecked: they need to call free-agent guard Brandon Scherff.
The Super Bowl was a gut punch. Not only did the Chiefs get steamrolled 40-22 by the Philadelphia Eagles, but Patrick Mahomes, the golden goose of the franchise, was sacked six times. That’s not just a red flag—that’s a five-alarm fire.
In response, Kansas City went back to the drawing board this spring. First came the cap-clearing move of trading veteran left guard Joe Thuney to the Bears. They also franchise-tagged Trey Smith to keep him locked in at right guard and re-signed Mike Caliendo as a depth piece.
Then came the first real splash: signing Jaylon Moore, a former backup with the 49ers who flashed promise in limited action. It wasn’t a blockbuster, but it showed intent.
Next, the Chiefs turned to the draft, selecting Josh Simmons in the first round. Simmons was a beast at Ohio State before a season-ending injury cut his final college campaign short. He’s the future, but he won’t be ready right out of the gate.
As things currently stand, the projected starting five from left to right reads: Moore, Caliendo, Creed Humphrey, Smith, and Jawaan Taylor. That’s mostly solid—but left guard sticks out like a sore thumb. Caliendo, a former UDFA, will be battling second-year project Kingsley Suamataia for the starting job. That’s a coin flip at best.
If Kansas City wants to put their money where their mouth is and truly protect Mahomes, they need to make one more call—to Brandon Scherff.
Chiefs Need to Call Brandon Scherff
Scherff, a former No. 5 overall pick by Washington in 2015, isn’t just a name—he’s a resume. The five-time Pro Bowler and former All-Pro has made a career out of bulldozing defensive linemen and punishing would-be pass rushers. He brings a no-nonsense, smashmouth edge to the trenches—exactly the kind of tone-setter the Chiefs need up front.
Yes, injuries chipped away at his dominance between 2018–2021, but he’s turned a corner. Scherff has suited up for every game in each of the last three seasons, proving he’s still got gas in the tank. He’s not quite the wrecking ball he used to be, but he’s steady as they come in pass protection—and that’s music to Mahomes’ ears.
The only complication is position. Scherff has spent his entire career at right guard, so someone—either he or Smith—would have to flip to the left side. But that’s a good problem to have. It’s a whole lot better than trying to talk yourself into Caliendo as your Week 1 starter.
At 33, Scherff isn’t a long-term fix, but he’s a perfect bridge. He’d give the Chiefs a reliable veteran presence while Simmons gets healthy and Suamataia continues developing.
The Chiefs have retooled—but they’re not finished. One more move could be the difference between another deep playoff run and Mahomes running for his life again. Scherff might not be flashy, but he’s the type of trench warrior this offensive line needs. It’s time to make the call.
