Wanya Morris surfaces in trade talk but Chiefs likely have a different idea

The idea of the Kansas City Chiefs being the source of another team's needs at offensive tackle feels a bit peculiar on the surface. After all, the Chiefs invested significantly in trying to find answers of their own at the position in both free agency and the draft. But at least one analyst believes Wanya Morris could be on the preseason trade block.

A new list of players available for trade surfaced at Bleacher Report, with Morris's name included without commentary. It's an interesting suggestion since, on the surface, the Chiefs' decision to import two offensive tackles will inevitably push someone out of the loop. The dominoes have to fall somewhere.

The argument for Morris being on the trade block

The line of reasoning likely falls like this: The Chiefs signed Jaylon Moore to a two-year deal in free agency in March, and then they followed that up with a first-round draft selection of Josh Simmons in the 2025 NFL Draft. With Jawaan Taylor as the holdover at right tackle, the depth chart looks a bit more crowded than ever.

It's fair to surmise that Morris's days as a swing tackle could be numbered if Taylor holds onto his role. That leaves Moore and Simmons to battle things out as blindside protector, with the loser slotting in as OT3 on the depth chart. The presence of second-year tackle Ethan Driskel and the signing of undrafted rookie Esa Pole could allow the Chiefs to consider such a move. (That doesn't include Kingsley Suamataia in the mix, who could be available, if needed.)

The argument against Morris being on the trade block

The problem with all of this is that the Chiefs have too many variables in play to trade Morris. It's not as if offensive tackle is a position of luxury with too much of a sure thing at the bookends.

Jaylon Moore has never been a long-term starter himself in four seasons in the NFL, with only a five-game stretch of game tape while filling in for Trent Williams in San Francisco. His contract nods to the uncertainty involved, giving him solid money for his level of experience while coming in at a steep discount if he ends up as the Chiefs' starting left tackle.

Simmons is a high-ceiling prospect who is coming off a torn patellar injury suffered last October. There's simply no way of knowing how he will respond when tasked with meaningful reps until it happens, which means the Chiefs can ill afford to lose a safety net (or two).

Jawaan Taylor is also a player who could be out after this season, given his financial burden on the salary cap, and it's not as if his level of play is going to stave off a worthy competitor. It's entirely possible Simmons and Moore become the starters on both sides, which means Taylor becomes the league's most expensive third tackle.

Most importantly, the Chiefs learned firsthand in 2024 that they can't have enough depth. Suamataia wasn't ready. Morris was injured. Then D.J. Humphries was hurt as well. The rigors of the NFL are incredibly tough on everyone, but that's especially true in the trenches. Morris will be needed, more likely than not, at some point in 2025.

So is Morris on the trade block?

Trading Morris away just doesn't make sense for the Chiefs. He's a young asset who has stepped in twice for long stretches at an important position for Kansas City, and he's got two cost-controlled years left, which makes him both important and palatable. Yes, the Chiefs might have a lot of cooks in the kitchen at the present moment, but competition and injuries will sort things out.

While a team might be smart to at least check in to what could be a surprisingly abundant position, the Chiefs would be wise to lean into that plentiful nature knowing it will deplete over time. Brett Veach knows what he has in Morris, and no team is going to compensate him enough to make it happen.