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Kyle Lengthy was simply as sure that he wished to return to the NFL after a yr in retirement because the three-time Professional Bowl offensive lineman was that he wished to guard Kansas Metropolis Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes.
So, when free company started, that is precisely who he known as.
“I completely did speak to Pat. I reached out to him, mentioned, ‘Patrick, get me in there, man. I might love to come back play for you,'” mentioned Lengthy, who agreed Wednesday to a $5 million contract for the 2021 season. “I am so glad right here, so glad to be a Chief.”
It wasn’t all the time that approach. Lengthy is the son of longtime Raiders defensive finish Howie Lengthy, so he grew up in a family figuring out 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 high-quality: He will get to play for coach Andy Reid, defend one of many NFL’s finest quarterbacks in certainly one of its most dynamic offenses, all whereas attending to bulk up on a few of Kansas Metropolis’s well-known barbecue.
In reality, 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 obtained to fulfill Joe final evening and if there’s one factor I learn about Joe, I do know he is robust, he is clever and he is aware of the sport of soccer,” Lengthy mentioned throughout a Zoom name Thursday.
“Once 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 will 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 discipline to each inch of the soccer discipline,” Lengthy mentioned. “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 who began that recreation had been headed totally free company, and extra holes opened up when the Chiefs waived tackles Eric Fisher and Mitchell Schwartz to create some wage cap area.
Thuney offers a sturdy anchor at one of many guard spots after beginning each recreation 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 workforce out in any approach I can, in any capability,” Thuney mentioned. “First time becoming a member of a brand new workforce. I am certain it’s going to be nice. I simply wish to are available in and work onerous every single day and present the fellows I can contribute to assist the workforce.”
In keeping with a number of studies, the Chiefs even have agreed to a one-year take care of Mike Remmers, who has performed each deal with and guard. He stuffed in at proper deal with after Schwartz injured his again halfway by means of the season.
Third-round choose Lucas Niang, who additionally opted out of his rookie season, offers an alternative 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 in addition spent one season at proper deal with.
“I am snug with anyplace on the offensive line,” he mentioned. “One factor I can let you know with conviction, I’ve by no means performed heart. I am left-handed. I do not know many left-handed facilities. However I will strive something.”
Nicely, if the Chiefs cannot discover a alternative for Austin Reiter, he simply may need to. They may nonetheless discover an offensive lineman within the upcoming NFL draft, however in addition they have holes to plug at extensive receiver, linebacker and within the secondary.
As for Lengthy, the Chiefs hope he will be the sturdy Professional Bowl standout he was his first three seasons with the Bears and never the participant waylaid by accidents getting into his prime. He damage his ankle in 2016, his neck, shoulder and elbow the next yr, had a foot harm halfway by means of 2018 and landed on injured reserve in 2019 with a foot harm.
All instructed, the 32-year-old Lengthy has performed in simply 30 video games since 2015.
“I have been in a single place my total profession and it was house for me,” he mentioned, “and the chance to come back to a spot like this — I wished 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 immediately once 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 degree I do know I can play.”
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