Denny Medley-Imagn Images
Kansas City, MO – April 6, 2025
The Kansas City Chiefs have jolted the NFL offseason, pulling off a stunning trade with the Minnesota Vikings.
On Saturday, sources confirmed to ESPN that KC sent third- and fourth-round picks to snag tackle Aireontae Ersery at No. 24—seven spots up from their No. 31—plus a sixth-rounder back.
The move comes days before the 2025 NFL Draft, a bold strike by GM Brett Veach after a 40-22 Super Bowl LIX loss to the Eagles exposed a shaky offensive line.
“We signed Jaylon Moore, but we needed another beast to shield Patrick,” Veach said. With Joe Thuney traded to the Bears in March, left tackle was a gaping hole—Ersery’s the fix.
He’s no project: 6’6”, 331 pounds, a Third-Team AP All-American from Minnesota in 2024, and Big Ten Offensive Lineman of the Year with 12 starts last season.
Chiefs Kingdom’s buzzing on X: “Ersery at 24? Veach just cooked!” one fan tweeted. “Mahomes’ blindside’s safe—Super Bowl redux!” another roared. The Eagles’ pass rush torched KC in February—this plugs that leak.
Minnesota cashed in. “We love Aireontae, but depth matters,” a Vikings source said. That third-rounder bolsters their J.J. McCarthy rebuild, while Ersery joins a contender at 23.
KC’s draft stash stays loaded—nine picks left after the Patriots swap (No. 38, 106, 144). Ersery’s a Day 1 starter, not a stopgap, giving Mahomes a fortress. The Chiefs aren’t rebuilding—they’re reloading, and the NFL’s on notice.
