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The Kansas City Chiefs have released both of their starting tackles — left tackle Eric Fisher and right tackle Mitch Schwartz — according to reports.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter was the first to report the news of Fisher’s release, soon followed by another report from NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
#Chiefs LT Eric Fisher announced on Instagram that he’s been released. The team is also releasing OT Mitchell Schwartz, source said. Both tackles out in KC. pic.twitter.com/VaH5MbwVhu
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 11, 2021
The team confirmed the roster moves with consecutive tweets from their official Twitter account.
We have released RT Mitchell Schwartz.
— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) March 11, 2021
We'll never forget his 7,894 snap-streak. Thank you Mitchell for five incredible seasons. pic.twitter.com/pbdIvZOnaC
We have released LT Eric Fisher.
— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) March 11, 2021
From #1 overall pick to becoming a world champion, we thank Eric for being an integral part of this franchise for eight seasons. pic.twitter.com/qW6XhkTxh6
With their releases, the Chiefs save $18.3 million against the 2021 salary cap — and are now just $4.3 million over, according to Spotrac. NFL teams are tasked with finding their way under the salary cap before the new league year begins on March 17.
The Chiefs drafted Fisher, 30, with the first overall pick in the 2013 NFL Draft. Fisher started his NFL career as a right tackle before transitioning back to left tackle, locking down the position for the next seven seasons. In total, Fisher started in 113 regular-season and 11 playoff games for the Chiefs. He was named to the Pro Bowl on two occasions (2018, 2020). A torn Achilles suffered in this year’s AFC title game kept Fisher from playing in Super Bowl LV.
The Chiefs acquired Schwartz, 31, through free agency in 2016. As the Chiefs noted in their goodbye tweet, Schwartz maintained 7,894 consecutive snap streak in Kansas City until it came to an end in 2019. His consecutive-start streak ended at 134 in 2020 when his back flared up during a Week 6 game against the Buffalo Bills. In total, Schwartz started 70 regular-season and seven playoff games for Kansas City. He was named a first-team All-Pro in 2018 and was named a second-team All-Pro on three occasions (2016, 2017, 2019).
Both players were key members of the Super Bowl LIV championship team.