Andy Reid Makes Huge O-Line Decision in Offseason As Chiefs HC Bolsters Defense With Mike Edwards

Imagine Andy Reid strolling through Kansas City’s training facility like a seasoned pitmaster adjusting his smoker. Patient, deliberate, and knowing exactly when to turn up the heat. The man who turned Patrick Mahomes into a three-time Super Bowl MVP isn’t one to panic. However, following a 2024 season that saw Mahomes sacked 36 times—six of those sacks occurring during a brutal Super Bowl LIX defeat—Reid’s recent change feels less like a minor adjustment and more like a complete kitchen overhaul.

And there you have Jaylon Moore. On March 10, the Chiefs inked the 27-year-old left tackle to a two-year, $30 million deal, betting big on a former 49ers backup with just 12 career starts. “The tape doesn’t lie,” Moore told reporters, channeling the confidence of a guy who spent four years learning behind future Hall of Famer Trent Williams. “I know it’s a small sample size, but I just go out there and play. They see something in me, so I’m excited to go ballistic for this team.” But NFL Network’s Brian Baldinger wasn’t sold.

“I didn’t think he was very good on the edge against the league guys,” Baldinger said. “I was a little shocked that they threw money at Jaylon Moore… He did start five games last year. He’s got 12 starts over his four years in this league.” The Chiefs, though, see a diamond in the rough—one they’ll polish alongside rookie guard Kingsley Suamataia to rebuild a left side that crumbled last year. Besides, Kansas City’s O-line carousel in 2024 was a disaster flick…

Four different left tackles. A Pro Bowl guard (Joe Thuney) was forced to play out of position. By the season’s end, Patrick Mahomes was running for his life like a quarterback in a Madden glitch. Moore’s arrival isn’t just a Band-Aid; it’s a statement. With a 74.9 PFF grade last year—25th among tackles—he’s no Trent Williams. But Reid’s staff believes his athleticism and zero penalties in 271 snaps can stabilize Mahomes’ blindside.

“They see something in me, so I’m excited to go ballistic for this team,” Moore said, sounding more like a UFC fighter than an O-lineman. The gamble?Chemistry. Moore and Suamataia have never played together. “The two guys have to get to know each other… You know, this offseason is very important for their communication and building the trust that I thought they had at one point,” Baldinger warned.

If they click, Kansas City’s offense could return to its pyrotechnic best. If not? Well, Mahomes might need to invest in better insurance. And while the O-line rebuild grabbed headlines, Reid quietly made a savvy defensive play.

Andy Reid’s defensive chess move

On April 4, safety Mike Edwards—a 2023 Chiefs Super Bowl champ—returned on a one-year deal. Edwards isn’t a star, but he’s a Swiss Army knife in Steve Spagnuolo’s scheme. In his first KC stint, he logged 51 tackles, two picks, and a 101-yard fumble return TD. “As a corner in the NFL, you know [opposing offenses] are going to set guys up to make sure [if] the corners are going to tackle. You have to have a dawg mentality because there’s going to be a point where you have to make a [key] tackle in the game,” said CB Kristian Fulton, another new addition. Edwards’ role?

Bolster a secondary that lost Justin Reid and add veteran grit to a defense that led the AFC with 57 sacks. Besides, Reid’s offseason moves are classic Chiefs: low-risk, high-reward bets with a dash of nostalgia. Moore could be the next Jawaan Taylor—or the next bust. Edwards? A depth piece with playoff pedigree. Either way, Reid’s playing the long game. As he said at the NFL Combine, “We’re building depth.”

The question isn’t whether Kansas City can dominate the regular season. It’s whether Reid’s reshaped trenches can survive January. Or, as Teddy Roosevelt once said, “Nothing worth having comes easy.” For Mahomes and Co., a fourth Lombardi Trophy certainly qualifies.

So, Chiefs Kingdom, can this retooled roster make history, or will the grind of greatness finally catch up?