Kansas City Chiefs Training Camp Preview: Naming the player who needs to take the biggest step forward in 2025
Better offensive line play in 2025 will be paramount to the Chiefs regaining their explosive form on offense and remaining a Super Bowl contender. Center Creed Humphrey, right guard Trey Smith, and right tackle Jawaan Taylor have the right side of the line pretty well locked down. However, there are big question marks at left […]
Better offensive line play in 2025 will be paramount to the Chiefs regaining their explosive form on offense and remaining a Super Bowl contender.
Center Creed Humphrey, right guard Trey Smith, and right tackle Jawaan Taylor have the right side of the line pretty well locked down. However, there are big question marks at left tackle and left guard.
While Josh Simmons and Jaylon Moore battling it out at LT will get the most attention, there will also be a competition at LG. Kansas City will ultimately go with the player who performs better throughout training camp and preseason, but one has considerably higher upside than the other.
Kingsley Suamataia needs to take a big step forward in 2025
The Chiefs selected Suamataia in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft. The plan was for him to become the franchise's LT of the future, and they quickly committed to him as the starter. Unfortunately, it was painfully clear that he was not ready to play the position at the NFL level, and was benched after the first two games of the season.
Suamataia started at LG in a no-stakes Week 18 matchup against the Denver Broncos, and played well enough for K.C. to switch him to the position full-time in 2025. His performance drew praise from Broncos All-Pro defensive tackle Zach Allen. As the Chiefs begin training camp on July 22, Suamataia will compete with Mike Caliendo for the starting job.
Caliendo started six games last season (including the playoffs), but left a lot to be desired. However, he's still a young player in his own right, and has been praised for his high football IQ. It wouldn't be wise to count him out, but Suamataia is the guy that the Chiefs want to step up and convincingly become the starter.
Suamataia has rare athleticism for his size, which makes for a great fit in coach Andy Reid's offense.
He also had a decorated college career, allowing just two sacks during his final two years at BYU, earning Second-Team All-Big 12 honors in 2023. If Suamataia can translate that to the LG position, K.C.'s offensive line will be much improved. It seems that he will get the first nod as the starter during training camp, but he'll have little room for error.
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They’re ready to get back on the field.
