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Chiefs Free Agent Pitch Lands Former $26 Million Steelers Guard to Left Guard

Published: May 17, 2025

The Kansas City Chiefs are charging toward a third Super Bowl in four years, but their offensive line demands reinforcement at left guard. Enter James Daniels, a former $26.5 million guard, whose signing could anchor the position, sources told ESPN on May 17, 2025.

The Chiefs traded All-Pro guard Joe Thuney to the Chicago Bears, leaving a glaring hole at left guard. Second-year tackle Kingsley Suamataia, projected to fill the role, struggled in 2024, allowing 15 pressures and earning a dismal 36.7 PFF pass-blocking grade in playoff action. Kansas City’s offensive line, ranked 12th in pass-blocking efficiency, needs a seasoned veteran to protect Patrick Mahomes, per NFL.com.

Arrowhead Pride’s John Dixon urges GM Brett Veach to target Daniels, a free-agent guard released by the Pittsburgh Steelers after a 2024 Achilles injury. “Daniels’ proven track record would fortify the Chiefs’ line alongside Creed Humphrey,” Dixon wrote.

Daniels, 28, was a standout before his injury, surrendering just 2 sacks in 285 pass-blocking snaps across 4 games for the Steelers in 2024, per Pro Football Focus. A former Chicago Bear with 76 career starts, Daniels excels in both pass protection and run support, complementing Isiah Pacheco’s rushing attack, per ESPN.

The Chiefs’ guard depth, including Mike Caliendo and rookie Hunter Nourzad, lacks Daniels’ experience. His 2023 PFF grade of 72.4 and ongoing recovery signal a return to form, offering stability to a line reeling from Thuney’s departure, per The Athletic.

Daniels’ market value, pegged at a $4-6 million one-year deal, fits Kansas City’s $11.7 million cap space, per Spotrac. His cost-effective contract aligns with Veach’s bold offseason moves, including signings of Kristian Fulton and Jaylon Moore.

Elite linemen are never in excess. The Chiefs’ top-10 offense fueled their 2024 AFC Championship run, and adding Daniels at left guard could ensure dominance against pass rushers like Myles Garrett and Maxx Crosby, per Yahoo Sports.

Veach’s win-now approach is clear. Signing Daniels would solidify the Chiefs’ offensive line, blending his veteran expertise with Humphrey’s excellence to pursue an AFC West title and beyond, per Arrowhead Addict.

Packers' Star QB Refuses MVP Title to Fully Focus on Team in Tough Phase
Can you believe it? Jordan Love, the "red-hot" quarterback of the Green Bay Packers, is on track to compete for MVP with +1000 odds at DraftKings – but this guy is "refusing" personal glory to pour all his energy into the team struggling with a "hellish" schedule! Is this a heroic act or just a ploy? Read now to uncover the "truth" behind it! In the Super Bowl era, the Packers have produced three MVP legends: Bart Starr (1966), Brett Favre (1995-1997), and Aaron Rodgers (2011, 2014, 2020, 2021). Now, Jordan Love has a chance to become the fourth, putting the Packers on par with the Baltimore/Indianapolis Colts – the only team with four QB MVPs like Johnny Unitas, Earl Morrall, Bert Jones, and Peyton Manning. With his current "explosive" form, Love ranks fourth in the NFL for passer rating (105.4), tied for fifth in touchdown passes (22), with only four interceptions – the fewest among QBs starting all 13 games, and a 67.1% completion rate ranking seventh. But instead of "dreaming" of MVP, Love seems to be "rejecting" it! In a recent interview, he emphasized: "These are the most important games of the season, obviously with a lot of things coming down to playoff seeding and the division race, so this is the important football. I think it’s everybody, we keep stacking and keep getting better and better throughout the season and learn from the mistakes we make and overcome some of the obstacles. Just keep stacking and trying to find ways to get better every day is something that’s been helping us." These words are like a clear "declaration": Love doesn't care about MVP, but only wants to focus on the team in its "tough phase" with a 9-3-1 record, trailing the Rams (10-3) in the NFC. Head coach Matt LaFleur also "sings along": "Yeah, he’s playing really good football right now. That’s obviously important and it’s going to be important moving forward." And offensive coordinator Adam Stenavich praises the consistency: "I would say just the consistency that he’s had has been great... Just being a consistent, efficient quarterback is one thing that I’ve been really pleased with." But it's Packers defensive end Micah Parsons who "reveals" why Love deserves but is "overlooking" MVP: "I definitely think he deserves recognition... If you go off strength of schedule, how he's played and with him missing half his receivers, I think that goes unnoticed, too. Some of the things he did without (Christian Watson) early in the year, then (Jayden Reed), so this guy was missing two of his starting receivers majority of the year and they're just now getting back in these last eight weeks of the stretch, so I definitely think he deserves a lot more credit and I'm just happy I'm able to be a part of this journey with him." Currently, Matthew Stafford of the Rams leads the MVP race with -180 odds, 35 touchdown passes (far ahead of Dak Prescott with 26), passer rating 113.1, and only four interceptions. Drake Maye of the Patriots follows with +200, passer rating 111.9, 3,412 passing yards, and 23 touchdowns. Love, with a four-game winning streak (nine touchdowns, one interception, passer rating 112.1), could stage a comeback if he maintains "red-hot form" – especially in the upcoming two "epic" games: away at Denver (11-2) and Chicago (9-4). If the Packers leap to the NFC's No. 1 seed (likely needing a 4-0 finish), while the Rams stumble against Detroit (8-5) and Seattle (10-3), or the Patriots slip against Buffalo (9-4) and Baltimore (6-7), Love would have a shot at MVP. But with his "humble" attitude, does Love really want to "accept" that title? Or is he sacrificing personally to save the Packers from the "tough phase"? The 2025 NFL drama is "hotter than ever"! Do you think Love is "playing a trick" to motivate the team? Comment now and follow for the "shocking" outcome of the MVP race!