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Kyle Lengthy was simply as sure that he needed to return to the NFL after a yr in retirement because the three-time Professional Bowl offensive lineman was that he needed to guard Kansas Metropolis Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes.
So, when free company started, that is precisely who he referred to as.
“I completely did discuss to Pat. I reached out to him, stated, ‘Patrick, get me in there, man. I’d love to return play for you,’” stated Lengthy, who agreed Wednesday to a $5 million contract for the 2021 season. “I am so comfortable right here, so comfortable to be a Chief.”
It wasn’t all the time that method. Lengthy is the son of longtime Raiders defensive finish Howie Lengthy, so he grew up in a family understanding the depth that marked the Los Angeles-turned-Oakland-turned-Las Vegas rivalry with Kansas Metropolis.
However after Lengthy, who spent his first seven seasons in Chicago, spent a yr watching from afar as an analyst for CBS, he realized the Midwest suited him simply effective: He will get to play for coach Andy Reid, defend one of many NFL’s greatest quarterbacks in one in all its most dynamic offenses, all whereas attending to bulk up on a few of Kansas Metropolis’s well-known barbecue.
In truth, that is what Lengthy did on Wednesday evening with Joe Thuney, the previous Patriots offensive lineman that earlier within the week agreed to a five-year, $80 million contract to start the overhaul of the Chiefs’ beleaguered offensive line.
“I bought to fulfill Joe final evening and if there’s one factor I find out about Joe, I do know he is powerful, he is clever and he is aware of the sport of soccer,” Lengthy stated throughout a Zoom name Thursday.
“After I had an opportunity to interrupt some bread with him over some barbecue, it felt like he wasn’t a stranger, and I do not suppose I am going to ever be a stranger to him.”
So what about Mahomes, the 2018 league MVP and proud new papa?
“I’ve by no means been round a man that may throw it from any inch of the soccer subject to each inch of the soccer subject,” Lengthy stated. “It is a distinctive alternative. He is a particular expertise.”
The Chiefs knew they needed to rebuild their offensive line, which was decimated by opt-outs and accidents, was ransacked by Tampa Bay within the Tremendous Bowl.
Most gamers that began that sport had been headed without spending a dime company, and extra holes opened up when the Chiefs waived tackles Eric Fisher and Mitchell Schwartz to create some wage cap house.
Thuney supplies a sturdy anchor at one of many guard spots after beginning each sport over the previous 5 seasons in New England, and the Chiefs anticipate Laurent Duvernay-Tardif — the doctor who opted out to assist deal with COVID-19 sufferers in his native Canada — to return subsequent season and maintain down one of many different guard spots.
“I simply wish to assist the crew out in any method I can, in any capability,” Thuney stated. “First time becoming a member of a brand new crew. I am certain it will be nice. I simply wish to are available in and work arduous every single day and present the fellows I can contribute to assist the crew.”
Third-round decide Lucas Niang, who additionally opted out of his rookie season, supplies an choice at one of many deal with spots, and Lengthy may find yourself on the different one. He performed guard for six seasons in Chicago but additionally spent one season at proper deal with.
“I am comfy with wherever on the offensive line,” he stated. “One factor I can inform you with conviction, I’ve by no means performed middle. I am left-handed. I do not know many left-handed facilities. However I am going to attempt something.”
Effectively, if the Chiefs cannot discover a substitute for Austin Reiter, he simply might need to. They might nonetheless discover an offensive lineman within the upcoming NFL draft, however in addition they have holes to plug at huge receiver, linebacker and within the secondary.
As for Lengthy, the Chiefs hope he might be the sturdy Professional Bowl standout he was his first three seasons with the Bears and never the participant waylaid by accidents coming into his prime. He damage his ankle in 2016, his neck, shoulder and elbow the next yr, had a foot damage halfway by 2018 and landed on injured reserve in 2019 with a foot damage.
All instructed, the 32-year-old Lengthy has performed in simply 30 video games since 2015.
“I have been in a single place my whole profession and it was house for me,” he stated, “and the chance to return to a spot like this — I needed to schedule it early in free company, as a result of I do know there are a litany of gamers that wish to come right into a constructing like this and play for a coach like this. … I knew instantly after I was let go in Chicago that I’d be again, and I wanted to do every thing in my energy to get again to the place I may are available in and play at a stage I do know I can play.”
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