The Kansas City Chiefs are looking to get back on top of the NFL this season and the first step took place as the team reported for voluntary workouts. The Chiefs were one of 17 teams to get back to work on Monday and it provides an opportunity to get an early look at the team ahead of the 2025 season.
One area that the Chiefs will pay attention to is the offensive line. Trey Smith will return after receiving the franchise tag in February and Creed Humphrey and Jawaan Taylor will return at center and right tackle.
But while the addition of Jaylon Moore temporarily solves the need at left tackle until the draft, Andy Reid confirmed that there is an important position battle brewing as Kansas City begins its offseason program.
Andy Reid Says Kingsley Suamataia and Mike Caliendo Will Battle For Left Guard Spot
According to Arrowhead Pride’s Pete Sweeney, Reid confirmed that Kingsley Suamataia and Mike Caliendo will battle for the starting left guard position ahead of the 2025 campaign. Both players will be looking to replace Joe Thuney, who was traded to the Chicago Bears earlier this offseason.
Andy Reid confirms that Kingsley Suamataia and Mike Caliendo will compete for the Chiefs' starting left guard position.
— Pete Sweeney (@pgsween) April 21, 2025
Suamataia was a sixth-round pick by the Chiefs in last year’s draft but his rookie season didn’t go well as he looked to start at left tackle. The BYU product allowed five pressures on 64 pass-blocking snaps over Kansas City’s first two games last season and he was benched for Wanya Morris, though KC also brought in D.J. Humphries because of the struggles at LT.
The Chiefs tried moving Suamataia to guard late in the year but it was too late to salvage his season, as his 37.9 overall grade was the lowest on the team according to Pro Football Focus.
Caliendo also saw extended playing time late in the season when Thuney took over at left tackle, but he didn’t fare much better. The 27-year-old posted overall grades of 40.2 and 34.6 in regular season wins over the Houston Texans and Pittsburgh Steelers and the bottom dropped out in the Super Bowl when he posted a 32.0 overall grade on 56 offensive snaps.
Neither player inspires confidence but there could be some help. The NFL Draft will give Kansas City a chance to add to the competition and perhaps a tough week of workouts could persuade Reid and general manager Brett Veach to find an alternative.
Either way, it’s a battle where Chiefs fans will be fearing the worst and hoping someone comes in as a wild card over the next week.