Wisniewski arrived having appeared in 134 games with 103 starts with the Oakland Raiders (2011-14), Jacksonville Jaguars (2015) and Eagles (2016-18). And he brought along a work ethic that shows up in his pre-game routine.
“It’s the same thing during the week,” Veach said. “Like, we’re practicing, the guys are showering or eating in the cafeteria, and he’s down there doing extra stretches, extra pass sets. He’s such a good example for these young guys because he’s such a good example of being a pro’s pro.”
With Wisniewski in the lineup, the Chiefs have a player who brings an attitude to his craft. The veteran guard prides himself as a punishing run blocker and he won’t back down from mixing it up with defensive players in the trenches.
He embraces the so-called dirty work.
“I just love contact,” he said. “I like to head-butt people in the huddle just to get fired up. Maybe I’m crazy, but I feel like that gets me fired up and it gets everybody else fired up.
“I feel like in this game, it’s easy to get kind of sick of hitting people because you do it day after day after day. My opinion is like, you know what? You got to love it if you’re going to do this and do it well. You’ve got to love hitting people.”
Asked if he prefers run-blocking or pass-blocking, the answer should come as no surprise.
“I love run blocking,” Wisniewski said with a grin. “I always say I’d run block for free. You have to pay me to pass-block, but run blocking is fun. It’s just something about moving someone backwards off the ball that brings me a lot of joy.”
Rookie running back Darwin Thompson has seen Wisniewski’s approach on game day and also admires his ability to blow defensive linemen off the line of scrimmage or attack linebackers at the second level.
Thompson couldn’t help but add yet another high compliment to Wisniewski.
“He’s an old-school lineman,” Thompson said. “The ones that you dream of, the ones you see in movies, all in the mud, taped-up fingers and ready to go. That’s Wiz right there, man.”
