Chiefs OL coach Andy Heck's latest comments on Kingsley Suamataia are not the red flag you might think they are
It has been a trying season for Kansas City Chiefs rookie offensive tackle Kingsley Suamataia. The Chiefs gave the second-round draft pick out of BYU every opportunity to earn the starting offensive left tackle job from training camp into the early goings of the 2024 NFL season. After his first two starts, it was clear that wasn't […]
It has been a trying season for Kansas City Chiefs rookie offensive tackle Kingsley Suamataia.
The Chiefs gave the second-round draft pick out of BYU every opportunity to earn the starting offensive left tackle job from training camp into the early goings of the 2024 NFL season. After his first two starts, it was clear that wasn't going to happen during the upcoming season. Suamataia has been playing a reserve role or riding the bench since Week 3, but that doesn't mean he's not been making progress.
Chiefs OL coach Andy Heck provided an update on Suamataia on Thursday.
"{He's doing} very well, also handling it like a pro, a young pro, but he's working very hard every day, and I'm seeing some improvement out of him," Heck said. "I really like both of our young tackles and their ability and how they're working right now."
Those comments weren't the ones that sparked concern from the Chiefs Kingdom. Heck was then asked whether the plan is still to keep Suamataia at left tackle or move him elsewhere. Typically, if you have a young player who is supposed to be your future left tackle, you'd nip that thought in the bud right away. Heck praised the rookie, but he stopped short of saying that Suamataia would be a left tackle in the future, emphasizing that no one player would be put into a box.
"He's got left tackle ability, for sure, and I love what he can do out there," Heck said. "But, like all of our linemen, we train them to play multiple positions. So, you'll see him in practice, he'll jump in there at guard. So, yeah, we don't peg anybody as he's this or that."
Heck's comments aren't the red flag you might think they are
Fans' frustration over the handling of Suamataia's rookie season is understandable, but it's also not as black-and-white as it's made out to be. The Chiefs didn't just throw the rookie to the wolves when they had him start in Week 1 and Week 2. They saw translatable left tackle skills during training camp and the preseason, which gave them confidence that he could be that guy quickly. They've seen it before with players like Trey Smith and Creed Humphrey, but they're the exception and not the rule.
With Wanya Morris' nagging knee injury, it made sense to continue to give him opportunities to prove he could be the guy. Inconsistency in technique was the height of Suamataia's issues in those first two weeks. He would overset because he worried about getting beat inside, which caused him to get beat fast. His hands were too low at times, making his punch less effective in the passing game.
These are all viewed as correctable mistakes for the rookie, but he needs practice repetitions and coaching. He's not getting those with the starting unit right now, or even the second-string unit, for that matter. The Chiefs need D.J. Humphries, Wanya Morris, and even Joe Thuney to take those repetitions because they might actually play. This is one of the main reasons why the Chiefs are moving Suamataia around. They want him to practice technique and fundamentals and further familiarize himself with the responsibilities of everyone within the scheme.
Heck's comments also ring true. The Chiefs have a reputation, specifically since Super Bowl LV, of cross-training their offensive linemen as much as possible. When it comes to young players, part of it is wanting to find what they're best at. The other part of it is making sure that you're prepared for the grinder that is the NFL season. Kansas City knows all too well about how quickly injuries can mount and how you need to be prepared for them.
Maybe Suamataia is the team's left tackle of the future, or maybe he isn't. Nothing the Chiefs are currently doing regarding his development track suggests one way or the other. Right now, all they can do is give him as many opportunities as possible to practice and improve, hoping he rises to the challenge.
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