For the last five seasons, Pro Bowl tackle Eric Fisher and All-Pro tackle Mitchell Schwartz have been pillars of protection for the Kansas City Chiefs. Fisher had been there even longer, debuting in 2013.
Just about a week ago, Chiefs GM Brett Veach said that the team was hopeful that both of them would be able to complete their respective rehabs and be available for the start of the 2021 season.
And on Thursday morning, both players were released. Fisher, the first overall pick of the 2013 draft, announced his release over Instagram, with a heartfelt message toward the Chiefs fan base in the caption.
With this decision from the Chiefs, every single active first overall pick prior to 2016 is now with a different team from the one that drafted them.
The report of Schwartz's release came from multiple sources, including NFL Network's Ian Rapoport and ESPN's Adam Teicher.
The Chiefs confirmed both releases soon after on their Twitter page. Cutting Schwartz and Fisher saves $18 million in cap space for Kansas City, who still find themselves $4 million over the cap (via NFL Update).
Geoff Schwartz, Mitchell's brother and a former teammate of Fisher's, looked back on both of their careers with fond memories.
With both tackles gone and with NFL's half-billion-dollar man needing all the protection he can get, rebuilding the offensive line will be an area of extreme focus for the Chiefs this offseason. If Super Bowl LV was any indication — neither Fisher nor Schwartz was able to play — the offensive line could use some work.
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