KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The Chiefs added versatility and experience to the offensive line Monday morning by announcing the free-agent signing of offensive tackle J’Marcus Webb.
Nov 7, 2013; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Offensive lineman J’Marcus Webb (73) blocks Washington Redskins linebacker Ryan Kerrigan (91). Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
“J’Marcus Webb is excited with the opportunity to join the Kansas City Chiefs organization,” Webb’s agent, Kendall Cooper, shared in an email with ChiefsSpin.com. “He’s looking forward to stepping onto the field and playing the game of football for a great organization and coaching staff.”
While the Chiefs didn’t release the terms of Webb’s contract, Cooper confirmed it is a one-year deal, as originally reported by NFL.com.
The signing of Webb gives the Chiefs veteran depth and a potential option for swing tackle given his experience on either side of the offensive line.
Last year’s swing tackle, Donald Stephenson, is set to start at right tackle with Eric Fisher on the left side following the free-agent departure of Branden Albert.
Webb, who turns 26 in August, enters his fifth NFL season with 54 games (45 starts) under his belt, including two postseason starts in 2011, between the Minnesota Vikings (2013) and Chicago Bears (2010-12).
The 6-foot-7, 333-pound offensive tackle originally entered the league out of West Texas A&M in 2010 as the Bears’ seventh-round draft pick (218th overall). Webb started 44 regular season games in Chicago, including time at left tackle and right tackle.
Born in Fort Worth, Texas, Webb spent the 2006 college football season at the University of Texas, and then transferred to Navarro College in 2007 before playing his final two college seasons at West Texas A&M.
Meanwhile, the Chiefs also announced the signing of three undrafted rookie free agents: Idaho fullback James Baker (6-foot-2, 228 pounds), Southern Methodist center Ben Gottschalk (6-foot-5, 293 pounds) and Tulane kicker Cairo Santos (5-foot-8, 160 pounds).
Monday’s transactions bring the team’s current roster to 89 players, one shy of the 90 maximum allowed on an offseason roster.
The Chiefs are set to have plenty of competition along the offensive line in the weeks leading to training camp.
Including the team’s two draft picks, guard Zach Fulton and offensive tackle Laurent Duvernay-Tardif, the signings of Webb and Gottschalk bring the total number of offensive linemen currently on the roster to 17.
