Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes fell just one win short from the three-peat last year, but the Kansas City Chiefs still have many things to fix from the 2024 NFL season. Especially in their offensive line.
The left tackle position was the Chiefs’ biggest weakness last season, bringing constant problems to Mahomes throughout the campaign. Reid, therefore, let everyone know that Kingsley Suamataia will be moved to left guard in 2025.
“When we brought him in, we knew he had that flexibility,” Reid said of Suamataia on Tuesday, via Charles Goldman of A to Z Sports. “We just felt that way, athletically. And he is a very good athlete. He can run and he can pass block, do all the things that he needs to do. I thought he felt more comfortable in there (at guard) as a young guy.“
Selected with the 63rd pick in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft, Suamataia entered his rookie season as the starting LT for the Chiefs. However, he got benched only two weeks into the regular season after struggling to protect Mahomes’ blindside. Now, Reid hopes that a change of position will make a positive impact on his performance.
Kingsley Suamataia #OL65 of the Brigham Young Cougars speaks to the media during the 2024 NFL Combine at the Indiana Convention Center on March 02, 2024 in Indianapolis, Indiana.
“Sometimes you see guys that start in there (at guard) and then work their way back outside. But so we stuck him in there (at guard), and he did a nice job against Denver. That was one of the bright spots in a game that didn’t have many. I thought he did a good job, and that’s where we’ll put him. He’ll start in there with Mike Caliendo. So they’ll compete for that spot,” warned Reid.
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Chiefs’ O-line problems took a toll on Mahomes in 2024
The 2024 NFL season was the toughest year for Mahomes when it came to the protection he had from his teammates. The 2x NFL MVP suffered career-highs in sacks both in the regular season (36) and playoffs (11) last season, with the o-line struggles becoming even clearer in Super Bowl LIX.
The Chiefs’ blowout loss in New Orleans was marked by a commanding performance by the Philadelphia Eagles, who pressured Mahomes 16 times, with the quarterback taking six sacks―the most in any game of his NFL career.
Reid hoping to leave LT problems behind
Before the Eagles exposed the Chiefs’ o-line problems, Reid had already made multiple changes hoping to fix those issues. After benching Suamataia, second-year tackle Wanya Morris started at LT for multiple weeks.
Eventually, the Chiefs signed D.J. Humphries aiming to strengthen the position. But with the veteran injured in his first game, Reid decided to improvise by moving Joe Thuney to left tackle, with Mike Caliendo filling in the hole at left guard.
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The Chiefs’ o-line operated that way for the remainder of the season, with the Eagles’ dominant win proving that changes needed to be made for 2025. With Thuney traded to the Bears, Kansas City needs a new starting left guard. Reid will choose that player between Suamataia and Caliendo, which means that the Chiefs could bring a new name to protect Mahomes’ blindside next season.
