Nate Taylor: Chiefs targeting OT Ronnie Stanley in free agency

[wazu]

New story. Joe Thuney did everything the Chiefs asked of him — & more.

What’s next for the Chiefs?

They plan to sign Trey Smith to an extension & acquire a new left tackle, targeting Ronnie Stanley.https://t.co/1cKzfqMDbu

— Nate Taylor (@ByNateTaylor) March 5, 2025

When free agency begins, the Chiefs will target Ronnie Stanley, the nine-year veteran who is the best left tackle available on the market, according to sources. Stanley, who will turn 31 this month, started all 17 season games last season for the Baltimore Ravens. He earned a 70.7 overall grade from Pro Football Focus and allowed just three sacks.

[smithandrew051]

Originally Posted by staylor26

With him about to hit the market, that's not what you want to hear if you're a Ravens fan.

Yeah, they’re going to have to be really aggressive to get a deal done.

This is his last payday. He knows a few teams will be lining up immediately for him.

I’m still surprised Alaric Jackson didn’t force his way to free agency. I think a 4/80-ish deal wouldn’t have been a surprise for him.

[Rausch]

Originally Posted by TribalElder

Schefter is well known for sucking a lot of D's

I mean all the D's

he sucks on them constantly

He's ruined his name a bit in recent years with "manufactured news."

He might have swallowed ta' get it but he was the 1st guy with the best info at one time. Now, eh, he's lost a little shine with his attention whoring.

[wazu]

Originally Posted by Rausch

He's ruined his name a bit in recent years with "manufactured news."

He might have swallowed ta' get it but he was the 1st guy with the best info at one time. Now, eh, he's lost a little shine with his attention whoring.

Agreed. He lost a ton of credibility with the Aaron Rodgers stuff a few years ago. Before that I don't remember him presenting his opinion as breaking news. Now he's good for intermittent made-up bullshit. Most recently the NFL referee garbage he was pushing about the Chiefs in the playoffs. (Unfollowed him after that so have no idea if there is something more recent.)

[O.city]

It's not like the Chiefs to telegraph moves like this....they're usually more out of no where.

I dunno.

I'm good with Stanley, but it does make me weary when a good org like the Ravens is ok letting their LT walk.

[Rausch]

Originally Posted by O.city

It's not like the Chiefs to telegraph moves like this....they're usually more out of no where.

I dunno.

I'm good with Stanley, but it does make me weary when a good org like the Ravens is ok letting their LT walk.

Like Orlando Brown?

Yeah, how'd that work out for us?

[DJ's left nut]

Price enforce on Stanley, for sure. At least tie up the Ravens and/or Patriots.

Be ready to pivot fast to Robinson.

The thing that worries me a LOT about Stanley is how unique blocking is in that system. Robinsons tape translates far more seamlessly to KC than Stanley's does.

I still think I prefer Robinson - especially when price is considered.

[SHOWTIME]

Originally Posted by O.city

It's not like the Chiefs to telegraph moves like this....they're usually more out of no where.

I dunno.

I'm good with Stanley, but it does make me weary when a good org like the Ravens is ok letting their LT walk.

The Ravens are not letting him "walk." They simply don't have the cap space, which is a lot different. Currently, they have about $12M in cap space. Funny thing is the Chiefs are currently $3M OVER the cap. There is going to have to be some restructuring done before next Wednesday if they want to be players in the FA market.

[O.city]

Originally Posted by Rausch

Like Orlando Brown?

Yeah, how'd that work out for us?

Fine?

[Rausch]

Originally Posted by DJ's left nut

Price enforce on Stanley, for sure. At least tie up the Ravens and/or Patriots.

Be ready to pivot fast to Robinson.

The thing that worries me a LOT about Stanley is how unique blocking is in that system. Robinsons take translates far more seamlessly to KC than Stanley's does.

I still think I prefer Robinson - especially when price is considered.

I'd prefer to sign the best LT - whatever that price is. Pay it.

There's plenty of guards in this draft that can come in and be "B to B-" players in year one. It's not hard to find a starting quality guard. If tackle is solved we can draft one of these short assed armed "tackles" that fall in round one and have our replacement guard.
In a pinch, worst case, these short armed guys already have tackle experience. We wouldn't want them playing tackle long term but once again they'd be the fire alarm option...

[smithandrew051]

Originally Posted by SHOWTIME

The Ravens are not letting him "walk." They simply don't have the cap space, which is a lot different. Currently, they have about $12M in cap space. Funny thing is the Chiefs are currently $3M OVER the cap. There is going to have to be some restructuring done before next Wednesday if they want to be players in the FA market.

I assume a fair amount of that is the Trey Smith tag though right?

I think we’re all under the assumption that he’ll be extended or traded and Mahomes will restructure.

[Rausch]

Originally Posted by O.city

Fine?

I don't feel we got great value out of the 1st we traded for him.
Two years of production, graded however you like, is not good value. Not for a 1st round pick.

[Demonpenz]

That would be sweet to see mahomes drop back and throw a pass without dancing around running for his life. WR and LT would be nice.

[Rausch]

Originally Posted by smithandrew051

I assume a fair amount of that is the Trey Smith tag though right?

I think we’re all under the assumption that he’ll be extended or traded and Mahomes will restructure.

Unless this is a financial recovery year. If Smith lingers on the tag and doesn't get signed and doesn't get traded I think it's a very bad sign for how this off season will go. I think you'll see very little done in free agency and any improvement will come in the draft. All our free agent money being tied up with tagging Smith as the excuse for why nothing happened.

Now, I don't think that happens. I also don't think we trade Smith. I think we ink Smith either before the 10th or very quickly in the free agent period. I think this moves quickly now that Thuney is gone.

[RunKC]

Robert Mays mentioned Taylor Decker as a trade option bc the Lions are gonna have to start really using their cap and paying their young guys. Hutchinson is about to become the highest paid defensive player in the league. St Brown and Sewell cap hits going way up. Goff still highly paid. Pretty much what we just did with Thuney.

Decker is 31. Might be an option

[Rausch]

Originally Posted by Demonpenz

That would be sweet to see mahomes drop back and throw a pass without dancing around running for his life. WR and LT would be nice.

I think it's very likely that we could lose Thuney, Bolton, and Reid and end up a much better team next year. I think we could sign a B- to C+ LT, draft a B at Guard, draft a legit nickel CB (which always go later anyway,) and add another WR or HB that helps to add some spice to the offense. I think our defense immediately gets better with a Nickel CB that doesn't puke up 9 yards every snap. I think there's a MLB between rounds 2 and 5 that could come in immediately and cover better than Bolton.

Yes, we lose brainpower. Yes, Spags is more limited in what he can do because we don't have two Professor X's out there lining guys up. We also wouldn't have any physical liabilities either. Our D would be dumber but better.

Like the Eagles just did. Hella' dumb but effective.