Chiefs sign OL Kelechi Osemele

The Chiefs have signed free agent offensive lineman Kelechi Osemele.

The Kansas Chiefs make a move to improve their offensive line.

The Chiefs reached a deal to sign Kelechi Osemele on Saturday. Osemele is a two-time Pro Bowl (2016-17) offensive lineman who made the First-Team All-Pro in 2016.

“The #Chiefs are giving OL Kelechi Osemele a 1-year deal worth $2M max, source said. After a truncated year with the #Jets, he’s healthy and fills the void left by Laurent Duvernay-Tardif, who opted out,” NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport tweeted Saturday.

Osemele was cut by the New York Jets mid season in 2019 after having a non-approved surgery on his right shoulder. Before his lone season with the Jets, Osemele was a member of the Las Vegas Raiders (2016-18) and the Baltimore Ravens (2012-15), where he became a Super Bowl champion.

The 31-year-old is now healthy and at a deal worth a maximum of $2 million, it appears this transaction could be a steal for the Chiefs. Osemele is presumed to replace the Chiefs guard Duvenray-Tardif who decided to opt out of the 2020 season due to COVID-19 concerns.

More known for his pass blocking, Osemele will be very useful in the Chiefs offense as he will be blocking for 2018 league MVP and 2019 Super Bowl MVP Pat Mahomes. As the season approaches, the Chiefs look more and more like a team that is ready to defend their title this upcoming 2020 season.

The former 60th overall pick has played 96 games in his career. Osemele was a member of the NFL’s Top 100 Players of 2017 list coming in at No. 95. Osemele was praised for his athleticism and being a player defensive tackles feared to go against in the trenches on game day.