Andy Reid on Wanya Morris and KC Chiefs' Options at Left Tackle
Speaking to the media on Monday, Reid discussed the offseason progression of Morris and whether the Chiefs need more competition at left tackle.
The Kansas City Chiefs' offseason program is officially underway, and head coach Andy Reid is ready to lead the charge as the spring continues.
Phase One, as it has in recent years, will be mostly remote for the reigning champions. This is a good time for quarterback Patrick Mahomes to host pass catchers for throwing sessions down in Texas, as well as the rest of the team in Kansas City to get back in the building. Reid's involvement remains present, although it's more of a player-led portion of voluntary workouts. Those who participate hope that it will help them stay on the right track for what's ahead.
It's safe to say one of those players is offensive tackle Wanya Morris. The Chiefs' 2023 third-round pick is in the middle of a pivotal offseason that could shape the trajectory of his tenure with the team. According to Reid, Morris is back in Kansas City working and realizes the magnitude of finding ways to improve after a cup of coffee in his debut campaign.
"I thought it was a good introduction for him," Reid said. "Coming in and having that experience and playing in four games. He has an even better feel now for this offseason and what's going to be expected of him when he gets back and is put in that spot. There's got to be an improvement, there's got to be an urgency there, which I know he feels.
"He's back in town here and working. When he wasn't here, he was down in Dallas working out, where a lot of players go — quite a few offensive linemen are down there doing the same thing. He was able to get in that mix and work with those guys, so it looks like he's in pretty good shape right now. I think he understands what it takes to be an every-down guy at that spot. Again, there will be competition. He's got to make sure he takes care of business there."
As a rookie, Morris played in 14 games but most of his snaps were sandwiched in one specific timeline. Between Weeks 13 and 17 of the regular season, the Oklahoma product logged 307 reps along the offensive line while starter Donovan Smith dealt with a neck injury. Morris started four consecutive games during that span, with the Chiefs going 2-2 in those contests.
The production from Morris was mixed. Pro Football Focus credits him with a 55.6 overall grade on the year, broken down into a 47.1 run-blocking grade and 63.4 pass-blocking mark. Smith's three catch-all metrics were 55.4, 45.1 and 60.3, respectively. Morris didn't do enough to keep the job or cement himself as an unquestioned starter, leaving many to wonder whether a left tackle could be the pick in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft next Thursday.
Reid acknowledged that tackle and wide receiver are possibilities, but don't necessarily bank on either.
"Those are two positions, yeah, we are looking at," Reid said. "But I mean, Brett (Veach) is looking at all of them. You're sitting at pick 32, so it's tough to tell you what's going to take place there. It's a great thing, on one hand, to be 32nd because you've done OK the season before, but that's a long wait. You really better stay true to the board, what's there and take the best player you possibly can at that spot."
This is about what should be expected. Smith remains on the open market so if a premium draft pick isn't used on a left tackle, Kansas City could simply reunite with him to compete with Morris in camp. Reid implied some level of competition coming, which makes sense. As Morris continues to prepare for a potential starting role in 2024, the Chiefs aren't gifting him anything. That was the sentiment echoed at the end of the season, and nothing appears to be changing as Phase One ramps up.
