Versatile Mike Remmers Could Bolster Chiefs Offensive Line

The Kansas City Chiefs have made their first major addition in free agency. They signed offensive lineman Mike Remmers, who started 14 games at right tackle for the New York Giants last year.

Remmers is a bit of a journeyman, having seen action for four different teams — the San Diego Chargers, Carolina Panthers, Minnesota Vikings and Giants — during his seven-year career. But he can play several positions along the offensive line, which fits what the Chiefs want to do. 

Offensive line coach Andy Heck crosstrains his pupils, making sure they practice at different spots along the line of scrimmage in case injury forces them to re-shuffle the line.

The Chiefs could start Remmers at left guard, or he could be their swing tackle as the first reserve off the bench behind one of the stalwart tackles, Eric Fisher on the left side or Mitchell Schwartz on the right. 

To exemplify his versatility, Remmers started at left tackle and right tackle in 2016, left guard, right guard and right tackle in 2017 and right tackle and right guard in 2018.

For the 2019 season, Pro Football Focus gave Remmers a 64.3 grade, which ranked 48th among tackles.

Some news outlets had reported the acquisition Friday, but Remmers’ agent, Brett Tessler, officially confirmed it Saturday afternoon.

Exact terms have not been disclosed, but the deal with Kansas City is for one year. Remmers’ must lucrative contract came with the Vikings, with whom he signed in 2017 for $10.5 million guaranteed. 

The Chiefs needed help on their offensive line. They released another versatile — though an underperforming — lineman, Cameron Erving. And the Pittsburgh Steelers signed Stefen Wisniewski to a team-friendly two-year, $2.85 million deal.

It represents a homecoming for Stefen, who grew up in Pittsburgh. His father, Leo, played three years as a nose tackle for the Colts, and his uncle, Steve, played 14 years at guard for the Raiders. All three Wisniewskis played collegiately at Penn State.

Wisniewski was a savvy acquisition by Chiefs general manager Brett Veach and will not be easily replaced. He ended up starting at left guard during the last two games of the regular season and the entire postseason, shoring up the interior of the line, which had been a weakness.

The Chiefs acquired him in Week Six of the 2019 season, and Wisniewski was on a one-year, $930,000 deal. 

Wisniewski knew the Kansas City offense from his days playing for former Chiefs offensive coordinator and current Philadelphia Eagles head coach Doug Pederson and quickly picked up the Chiefs’ scheme.

Remmers’ backstory is one of perseverance. A walk-on at Oregon State, he ended up starting 44 games there at both tackle positions. The undrafted free agent spent his first training camp with the Denver Broncos before joining the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ practice squad in 2012. He made his NFL debut with the Chargers in 2013.

Remmers represents the second Giants player the Chiefs have signed this offseason. They also signed cornerback Antonio Hamilton to a one-year deal. He is known for his play on special teams.