Forgotten Chiefs lineman lands back on NFL radar with Saints

Coming into the NFL, a number of teams were curious about the potential of offensive lineman Vitaliy Gurman. Even a few years (and franchise stops) later, Gurman is still enticing some general managers to take a closer look around the league.

Gurman's latest free agent stop was a visit with the New Orleans Saints. NFL reporter Aaron Wilson noted that the Saints worked out Gurman earlier this week.

Coming into the 2022 offseason, Gurman intrigued as a OL prospect from the University of Toledo, a player who'd taken a small-school path to the MAC before trying to find his way to the NFL.

Former Chiefs lineman Vitaliy Gurman is still earning looks at the NFL level.

Gurman's collegiate career began in Edinboro, a Division II program competing in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference. Not many players make it from the PSAC to the NFL, which is why Gurman ended up transferring to Toledo to play for the Rockets.

While at Toledo, he earned third-team All-MAC status his senior year as a 6'3, 310 lb. tackle/guard who started on the left side for a passing attack that led the conference in yardage. Gurman went undrafted in 2022, but multiple teams were interested in him as a rookie free agent.

The Pittsburgh Steelers were the first team to get a closer look with a minicamp invite, but they passed on offering him a deal. The Chiefs were next on the list and seized the opportunity to sign him to the offseason roster.

The Chiefs allowed to play in all three preseason games that summer, but he was cut before active rosters were due to the league office. From there, he landed with the Raiders for a short spell before the Arizona Cardinals also gave him a chance. The New York Jets stepped in with a futures deal in 2024, but that was also a temporary stop.

These days, Gurman can be found playing in the UFL on the San Antonio Brahmas roster. With the Brahmas' season over, Gurman is taking free agent visits, and the Saints were at least interested enough to see if the 26-year-old lineman could offer something at this juncture.

While it's a bit surprising to see Gurman still listed on NFL transactions lists—even with a visit—the truth is that offensive linemen are always going to be in demand given the need for depth. It's also important to note that it often requires the right timing and scheme for a player to find some success there as well. Perhaps New Orleans will be the right landing spot for Gurman.