Chiefs HC Andy Reid confirms suspicion about offseason roster battle at left guard spot after Joe Thuney's departure
Kansas City Chiefs HC Andy Reid confirmed suspicions surrounding the left guard position in the wake of Joe Thuney's trade to the Chicago Bears. As expected after the trade of Thuney, Chiefs second-year OL Kingsley Suamataia will be playing the guard position during the 2025 NFL season. During his pre-draft press conference last week, Brett Veach suggested as […]
Kansas City Chiefs HC Andy Reid confirmed suspicions surrounding the left guard position in the wake of Joe Thuney's trade to the Chicago Bears.
As expected after the trade of Thuney, Chiefs second-year OL Kingsley Suamataia will be playing the guard position during the 2025 NFL season. During his pre-draft press conference last week, Brett Veach suggested as much about Suamataia, and Reid's latest comments virtually confirm it.
He won't simply be handed the starting job, though. Suamataia will face competition from Mike Caliendo, the team's backup left guard, who started multiple games when Thuney was moved from left guard to left tackle.
"When we brought him in, we knew he had that flexibility," Reid said of Kingsley Suamataia's ability to play guard. "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. 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."
Chiefs second-year OL Kingsley Suamataia's switch to left guard is all about comfort
It shouldn't be a major shock that the team plans to shift Suamataia to the guard position. The Chiefs' actions late last season hinted as much at this decision as anything said over the past two weeks.
After the Week 18 game against the Broncos, when Suamataia allowed just one pressure on 24 pass-blocking snaps, they made it clear they liked what they saw. Suamataia was active on game day throughout the playoffs as a backup. While he didn't play any meaningful snaps, this was an essential show of trust in his ability from a coaching staff that seemingly lost faith after his two starts at left tackle in Weeks 1 and 2.
Mike Caliendo could give Suamataia a run for his money at left guard during Chiefs' offseason
When the Chiefs signed Jaylon Moore, we suggested he could suddenly become the favorite to earn the starting left guard job. Their history playing together at Western Michigan counts for something, and Reid's acknowledgement of it means something.
"We also remember (Jaylon Moore) because he played next to (Mike) Caliendo for three years and Western Michigan there," Reid said. "I think we lead the league in players from Western Michigan."
He might not be the favorite at this juncture, but he'll at least be viewed as the incumbent, which can be a major boon for a player under this coaching staff. Suamataia will have to beat him out and leave no room for a coach to second-guess who should start at left guard.
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