Austin

Blythe

Blythe played seven years for four teams, and started Super Bowl LIII for the Rams against the Patriots. It turned out to be his best season, and Blythe only briefly appeared in 2021 for the Chiefs before signing with the Seahawks and starting all 17 games this past season. Center would appear to be a need for the Seahawks entering free agency.

Seattle needed some help at center with both Kyle Fuller and Ethan Pocic headed to free agency. Blythe might not be a huge upgrade on either of them, but he likely came cheap following a lost season in Kansas City.

Blythe remains sidelined after August core muscle surgery. Chiefs DB Tyrann Mathieu (COVID) is active. Kansas City is relatively healthy going into Week 2.

The timeline gives Blythe a chance to return without missing games. Signed to a one-year, $3.9 million contract in March, Blythe is being counted on to improve an interior line that started Daniel Kilgore and Austin Reiter at center last season. With 22 days before the opener, Blythe will be in a race to get cleared for Week 1.

Blythe gives the Chiefs a solid option at the pivot after Daniel Kilgore and Austin Reiter split time there in 2020. Blythe is also capable of playing guard as the Chiefs reshuffle essentially their entire offensive line. The soon-to-be 29-year-old had a strong season for the Rams last year.

Blythe started the final eight games of last season at the pivot after C Brian Allen tore up his knee. Veteran LT Andrew Whitworth seems to be the only one truly locked into a spot for the Rams up front. But if Blythe handles center, perhaps the Rams will roll with LT Whitworth, LG Joseph Noteboom (assuming he recovers from his own torn ACL and MCL), C Blythe, RG David Edwards, and RT Bobby Evans. Or the Rams could kick on-the-bubble former starting RT Rob Havenstein or Evans inside to right guard, while Austin Corbett is also in play.

There’s no denying the Rams wanted to bring Blythe back given his ability to play at both guard and center spots, but it’s surprising the two sides were able to come to an agreement given the team’s ongoing cap woes. 28 in June, the former seventh-rounder has started 31-of-32 games for Los Angeles over the past two seasons but did most recently allow the second-most pressures (38) at his position last year. Re-signing Andrew Whitworth remains a priority for the organization.

This comes as a surprise given the Rams’ limited cap space. Blythe has been a versatile starter the last few years, but he would likely need to accept a team-friendly deal to be back. The Rams should prioritize an extension for LT Andrew Whitworth over Blythe.

Blythe will test the open market after starting at multiple spots the last two years. The Rams can’t afford Blythe with LT Andrew Whitworth also a free agent. David Edwards and Austin Corbett are in-house options to replace Blythe.

Blythe got in a limited practice Friday, giving some hope he would play. He should be on track for a Week 4 return. Jamil Demby will start in place of Blythe. Also inactive for the Rams are, WR Nsimba Webster, CB David Long, OLB Ogbo Okoronkwo, OT Bobby Evans, TE Tyler Higbee, and DT Greg Gaines.