The Kansas City Chiefs hope to see improvement from their offensive line in 2025, with four starting spots already set. However, one vacancy remains as the Chiefs look to replace their three-time Pro Bowl and two-time All-Pro left guard, Joe Thuney, arguably their top lineman since he joined the team in 2021. Two players will compete to fill that spot, including a 2nd round pick.
The Kansas City Chiefs 2nd round pick had a rough rookie season
Kingsley Suamataia began his rookie season as the starting left tackle, but that role didn’t last long. He struggled in the first two games, leading to his benching in the fourth quarter of Week 2 and officially losing the starting job by Week 3. The next time Suamataia saw significant minutes was Week 10, filling in for Wanya Morris from the second to the fourth quarter, but he was benched once again. The last time the 2nd round pick played was in Week 18, logging 31 snaps at left guard.
Also Read: Kansas City Chiefs: Suddenly Benched Key Offensive Starter Ahead of Week 3
During the offseason, he officially transitioned from left tackle to left guard.
Kansas City Chiefs on 2nd round pick’s position change
The Chiefs are currently in Week 2 of voluntary organized team activities, which will be held on Monday through Wednesday of this week. Kingsley Suamataia has received some first-team reps at left guard during OTAs. Andy Reid provided an update, via Ed Easton Jr. of the Chiefs Wire, on Suamataia’s progress and praised him for his efforts.
“We moved him (Kingsley Suamataia) there for that second Denver game, so I mentioned that was one of the positives – the only positive that came out of that game, but I thought he did a nice job there, so we’re moving him in there,” Reid said, via Easton. “Listen, (Defensive Coordinator Steve Spagnuolo) Spags runs a million different looks, so this is the best thing for him, to get in there and have a bunch of things thrown at him, and he’s doing a nice job so far.”
He will compete against a former UDFA
Mike Caliendo will also compete for the starting left guard job. When the coaching staff moved Joe Thuney from left guard to left tackle in Week 15, Caliendo took over at left guard, starting six of their final seven games. He also received first-team reps during OTAs, as the competition likely won’t be decided until training camp.
