OT Wanya Morris

Morris washed out in his bid to become the starting left tackle in 2024. An expected competition between Morris and rookie Kingsley Suamataia never developed at training camp and Suamataia became the starter. Then Morris struggled so badly after replacing Suamataia early in the season that he too was benched. Morris, a 2023 third-round pick, was healthy but inactive for all three postseason games. The Chiefs should be wary of giving up on a young player too early, but if Morris doesn’t show more during the offseason and training camp this year, it’s best for all parties if he moves on. — Adam Teicher

How is Travis Kelce coping with the Chiefs’ Super Bowl loss? By listening to Taylor Swift | FOX Sports

The Chiefs’ star tight end shared that he’s been listening to his girlfriend Taylor Swift’s songs following the Super Bowl loss.

“Jason, the only way you can find yourself in the light is to find yourself in the dark first,” Kelce said on the most recent episode of “New Heights,” the podcast he hosts with his brother, Jason Kelce. “I listen to music that is very telling of my mood.

“I just listen to Taylor’s music. She has something for everything.”

Kelce admitting that he listens to Swift’s music even during tough times shouldn’t be too surprising. Before the two started dating in 2023, Kelce attended one of her concerts on her “Eras Tour.” He also attempted to give her a friendship bracelet at the concert he attended.

Jason Kelce agreed with his brother’s take on Swift’s music.

“That’s fair. That’s a good point,” Jason Kelce said. “No matter what mood, you can find some Taylor music.”

NFL Set to Use Hawk-Eye Virtual Measurement Instead of Chains for 2025 Season | Bleacher Report

NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo reported Wednesday that the Hawk-Eye virtual measurement for line to gain will be the primary way the league measures to see if there was a first down on a given play that is close enough to require assistance.

While the system will replace the traditional chain measurement, the chains will still be on the sidelines in case a backup plan is needed.

Ultimately, this isn’t the drastic type of change some might have been hoping for when it comes to spotting the ball and determining whether an offense picked up a first down, but it is expected to save time.

Garafolo noted it took an average of 75 seconds to measure a play with chains compared to an average of 30 seconds for the virtual measurement system during testing. If nothing else, it will help keep games moving without extended delays.

However, it won’t help prevent a situation like the controversial spotting of the football during the AFC Championship Game.

2025 NFL Draft: The ideal haul for every team in the first three rounds | PFF

Kansas City Chiefs: OL Grey Zabel, WR Jayden Higgins, ILB Chris Paul Jr.

KC might be coming off a third straight Super Bowl appearance, but this offseason is a daunting one for the Chiefs — particularly to finally solve some long-standing issues along the offensive line. With Trey Smith potentially leaving and Kingsley Suamataia struggling mightily in his first year, Kansas City’s utmost priority should be the offensive line. Zabel (90.4 overall PFF grade) could slot in at either slot and be a quick, impact starter.

Beyond that, the Chiefs’ receiver room is in the midst of great uncertainty with DeAndre Hopkins and Marquise Brown hitting the market. Higgins’ fluidity and size would work nicely paired with Xavier Worthy and Rashee Rice. And with Nick Bolton also a free agent, Paul (84.0-plus pass-rushing, tackling and run-defense grade) would make tons of sense.

Chiefs conduct ‘formal meeting’ with Oregon Ducks star at NFL combine | Chiefs Wire

According to Charles Goldman of AtoZ Sports, the Kansas City Chiefs had a “formal meeting” with Oregon Ducks star Derrick Harmon at the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, Indiana this week.

While the Chiefs aren’t necessarily expected to take a defensive lineman with the No. 31 pick in the 2025 NFL draft, Kansas City’s front office is always on the lookout for elite talent, and Harmon is an exciting prospect.

Chiefs Wire’s resident draktnik Sam Teets profiled Harmon in a scouting report that was written during the 2024 college football season and pointed out that the Ducks defender could be a natural fit to play with Chris Jones in the middle of Kansas City’s front four.

2025 NFL mock draft: Abdul Carter goes No. 1 despite foot injury; Jayden Daniels gets new weapon in pass game | CBS Sports

Round 1 – Pick 31

Maxwell Hairston CB

Kentucky • Jr • 6’1” / 186 lbs

Maxwell Hairston has the most exposure to zone coverage, but could also hold up in man coverage. Kansas City has gotten by without investing significant assets into the position, but that may now need to change.

Around the NFL

Report: Myles Garrett is “not open” to a contract extension with the Browns | NBC Sports

Browns edge rusher Myles Garrett has made his wishes known: He wants a trade out of Cleveland.

It is not an attempt to get more money out of the team.

Mary Kay Cabot said Garrett is “not open” to a contract extension from the Browns.

The Scouting Combine is where General Managers and agents meet to talk about such matters, but Garrett’s camp has “slammed the door” on negotiations, per Cabot.

Garrett made a public request for a trade Feb. 3, seeking to go to a Super Bowl contender. The Browns, though, continue to insist they aren’t trading their All-Pro player.

Buccaneers to reinstate former coach Jon Gruden into Ring of Honor | ESPN

Gruden, a former ESPN “Monday Night Football” analyst, was removed from the Ring of Honor in 2021 when leaked emails in The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal revealed racist, misogynistic and anti-gay comments. At the time, the Bucs said Gruden’s actions went “against our core values as an organization.”

The team will be placing Gruden’s name back on the walls of Raymond James Stadium, but there will be no new ceremony.

“Jon Gruden was initially inducted into the Bucs Ring of Honor based on his many accomplishments during his seven seasons as our head coach and he remains a significant figure in the history of our franchise,” the Bucs said in a statement Thursday. “Upon further reflection, we have decided to reinstate him into the Buccaneers Ring of Honor.”

In case you missed it on Arrowhead Pride

Chiefs News: Kansas City to franchise tag Trey Smith; what it means

Smith, 25, was drafted by the Chiefs in the sixth round of the 2021 NFL Draft. Since his rookie season, he has started 67 regular-season and 13 playoff games for Kansas City. He is a two-time Super Bowl champion and most recently was named to his first Pro Bowl for his efforts during the 2024 season.

As Rapoport notes in his post, Smith is now due a fully guaranteed $23.4 million one-year contract, which the club feels more apt to afford following the confirmation that the salary cap would increase to $279.2 million for the 2025 NFL season.

The greater hope for the Chiefs is that Smith never plays on the one-year deal — that instead, the move keeps him off the market as general manager Brett Veach and his representatives work out a long-term contract extension. It’s also possible (though not likely) that Kansas City could move the rights to Smith in a trade, as it did last offseason when it sent cornerback L’Jarius Sneed to the Tennessee Titans.

From the desk of @tkelce: ITS TIME FOR YEAR 13

Full breakdown on next week’s episode!!! pic.twitter.com/iyUYZmJKk7

— New Heights (@newheightshow) February 27, 2025