Chiefs' Kingsley Suamataia set to compete at left guard

Suamataia will battle Mike Caliendo for starting job

The Chiefs drafted Kingsley Suamataia in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft as a left tackle.

Chiefs coach Andy Reid, however, revealed Monday that the team has a different vision for Suamataia in 2025.

And it comes at left guard.

“He’ll start in there with Mike Caliendo, so they’ll compete for that spot,” Reid said during a Zoom teleconference.

The left side of the offensive line is undergoing transition, of course.

Kansas City traded All-Pro left guard Joe Thuney to the Chicago Bears early in the offseason and signed Jaylon Moore during free agency to start at left tackle.

The scenarios provide a fresh start for Suamataia, who won the starting left tackle job during training camp last summer. But his early season struggles produced a domino effect on the offensive line.

The Chiefs endured a carousel of players at left tackle with Suamataia, Wanya Morris and D.J. Humphries before moving Thuney from left guard to left tackle for the postseason.

With Thuney playing left tackle during the playoffs, the Chiefs went with Caliendo at left guard.

While it might not have worked out for Suamataia at left tackle last season, the Chiefs always believed their 2024 second-round pick had the versatility to play inside.

“When we brought him in, we knew he had that flexibility,” Reid said. “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.”

The Chiefs got a good look at Suamataia as an interior offensive lineman in the regular-season finale against the Denver Broncos, a game which saw most of the Chiefs starters resting before the postseason.

Suamataia drew the start at left guard, totaling 31 offensive snaps, and did his part to impress the coaching staff.

“I thought he felt more comfortable in there,” Reid said. “As a young guy, sometimes you see guys that start in there and then they work their way back outside. So, we stuck him in there and he did a nice job against Denver.

“That was one of the bright spots in a game that didn’t have many, so that was a – I thought he did a good job – and that’s where we’ll put him.”