Kansas City is officially bringing in offensive tackle Kellen Diesch, a UFL champion, right when their entire offensive line seems to be falling apart. This isn’t just a depth move, folks, this is a scramble for protection for Patrick Mahomes as injuries are stacking up faster than a stack of pancakes at a diner.
The Chiefs’ O-Line Is Looking Like a MASH Unit
The situation in Kansas City is getting dicey. Their offensive line has been absolutely depleted during this final stage of training camp. Starting left tackle Josh Simmons has missed two straight practices with a back issue. Backup tackle Matt Waletzko? Sidelined with a knee injury. Chu Godrick also missed practice, and even star guard Trey Smith has been battling a hip injury. Are you kidding me? This is a growing collection of injuries, and it’s creating massive headaches for Andy Reid. The timing couldn’t be worse, either, with the Chiefs set to play their final two preseason games in just six days. They’re visiting the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Saturday, then hosting our Seattle Seahawks on August 28th. Diesch has got to be ready to absorb some snaps, like, yesterday.
Who Is This Kellen Diesch Guy, Anyway?
So, who is Kellen Diesch, this UFL champion coming to rescue the Chiefs? He’s a 6-foot-7, 303-pound tackle who started his college career at Texas A&M before transferring to Arizona State. He started all 15 games in his final year with the Sun Devils, even earning second-team All-Pac-12 honors, and Pro Football Focus graded him as the conference’s top tackle that year. The guy definitely has some talent. He signed with the Dolphins as an undrafted free agent in 2022, and he’s been bouncing around a few NFL organizations since then, including the Bears, Steelers, Browns, Patriots, and Titans. He hasn’t appeared in a regular-season NFL game, but his UFL journey, playing for the Arlington Renegades, Memphis Showboats, and Houston Gamblers before joining the Louisville Kings for their 2026 championship season, gave him a chance to put fresh game film in front of NFL teams. He even made two starts during that title run!
Diesch has basically no time to make an impression before final roster decisions hit, which is a brutal spot to be in. But his experience, athletic profile, and that championship run make him a super intriguing late addition for a team that desperately needs dependable depth around their franchise quarterback. The Chiefs are hosting our Seattle Seahawks on August 28th, so Diesch might have to step up and prove his worth against our D-line pretty quick. Talk about a trial by fire for the UFL champ!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by The Sporting News.
Leave a Reply