Kansas City is in a bit of a pickle at the left tackle position. The team traded Joe Thuney for some cap space relief and is exploring better options. That left them with only Kingsley Suamataia at the LT position. Andy Reid and the Chiefs‘ front office had their eyes on some big names. But things are not going as they would have wanted. One of their top targets just slipped away, and now they better figure out alternate options. Free agency is not far away, so they better hurry up. 

The Chiefs were dreaming of putting Ronnie Stanley in their jersey, but the Ravens said, ‘Not now.’ The 30-year-old was set to be a free agent this season, but Baltimore locked him in for another three years, crushing the Chiefs’ hopes of signing him. Stanley has been playing with the Ravens for eight seasons, and now it will be his 9th. As reported by SI’s Albert Breer, “The Ravens have locked left tackle Ronnie Stanley down with a three-year deal at $60 million. If the Ravens OT had hit the free market, ‘the Chiefs, Commanders, and Patriots were expected to have serious interest.’” So, what options can the Chiefs look at now?

Well, there is Steelers’ OT, Dan Moore. His rookie $4.8 million deal with the team is ending, and he will be a free agent. Moore allowed ten sacks in the last ten games of the 2024 season. He is young and in his peak years, and Andy Reid is a coach who knows how to shape his players. So, he could be an option to look at.

Vikings’ OT Cam Robinson could be another interesting option. The Chiefs are not the only team that could be looking at him. The Patriots are lurking in the shadows as well. Then there’s the Niners’ Jaylon Moore, who will be a free agent too if the Niners don’t pull off any last-minute re-signing moves.

Jaylon is 27 and showed a promising performance, even though the Niners struggled throughout the entire season. So, after Ronnie Stanley is out of the question, these three could be interesting options for Patrick Mahomes and Co.

Andy Reid lost his target

Ronnie Stanley has been donning the Ravens jersey since 2016, and both he and the Ravens kept it that way. The OT could have been a top left tackle had he hit free agency. He was on a one-year $7.5 million extension with the team. Andy Reid and the Chiefs were not the only ones who had their eyes fixated on Stanley.

Even the Commanders were keeping an eye on the Notre Dame alum. But now, all these teams have to catch another fish in the sea. Baltimore locked Stanley in a $60 million deal, with him pocketing $44 million guaranteed at signing. Ronnie allowed only two sacks during the latest season with the team.

The Ravens re-signing Ronnie was not off the charts. Jeremy Fowler of ESPN reported last week that there might be chances the two would reach an agreement before free agency. Stanley’s new deal places him amongst the top-paid left tackles in the league. Pro Football Focus gave Ravens OT Ronnie Stanley a 71 overall grade, while ESPN reported a 92% pass-block win rate for him.

The 30-year-old stayed healthy throughout the 2024 season, playing every game. Stanley played a major role in protecting QB Lamar Jackson, helping the team allow just 24 sacks all season.

So, Stanley looked too good for the Ravens to let go, and the team played it well by keeping him on the squad. Now that free agency is nearing, it will be interesting to see what options other teams go with.