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Kyle Lengthy was simply as sure that he wished to return to the NFL after a 12 months 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 referred to as.
“I completely did discuss to Pat. I reached out to him, mentioned, ‘Patrick, get me in there, man. I’d love to come back play for you,’” mentioned Lengthy, who agreed Wednesday to a $5 million contract for the 2021 season. “I am so blissful right here, so blissful to be a Chief.”
It wasn’t at all times that method. Lengthy is the son of longtime Raiders defensive finish Howie Lengthy, so he grew up in a family realizing 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 12 months watching from afar as an analyst for CBS, he realized the Midwest suited him simply nice: He will get to play for coach Andy Reid, defend one of many NFL’s greatest quarterbacks in considered one of 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 acquired 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 assume 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 area to each inch of the soccer area,” 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 that began that sport have been headed without cost company, and extra holes opened up when the Chiefs waived tackles Eric Fisher and Mitchell Schwartz to create some wage cap house.
Thuney gives a sturdy anchor at one of many guard spots after beginning each sport over the previous 5 seasons in New England, and the Chiefs count on 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 need to assist the staff out in any method I can, in any capability,” Thuney mentioned. “First time becoming a member of a brand new staff. I am positive it’s going to be nice. I simply need to are available in and work onerous day-after-day and present the blokes I can contribute to assist the staff.”
Third-round choose Lucas Niang, who additionally opted out of his rookie season, gives an possibility at one of many deal with spots, and Lengthy might 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 middle. I am left-handed. I do not know many left-handed facilities. However I am going to attempt 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 huge 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 12 months, had a foot harm halfway by 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 dwelling 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 need to come right into a constructing like this and play for a coach like this. … I knew straight away after I was let go in Chicago that I might be again, and I wanted to do the whole lot in my energy to get again to the place I might are available in and play at a stage I do know I can play.”
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