Just minutes prior to kickoff between the Kansas City Chiefs and Denver Broncos, it was announced that Chiefs left guard Kingsley Suamataia would be benched in favor of veteran Mike Caliendo. It's the second time this year that the former BYU product has been forced to watch the game from the sidelines.
After not being placed on the injury report at all this week, it's clear that Suamataia was benched for the second time this year due to a coach's decision. The same happened in Week 4 when Reid decided to go with Caliendo and later had to face the media when questions came pouring in as to why KC's former second-round selection was benched.
“As far as the Kingsley thing goes, before you guys ask, that's between Kingsley and I," Reid said a few weeks ago. "We'll figure it out, and down the road, we'll be better as a team for it, and Kingsley will be better for it.”
We'll have to wait and see what Reid says in his postgame press conference, but I can assure you, he is going to keep it close to the vest, as is his nature.
Kansas City's offensive line issues persist both on and off the field
It's widely known the issues Kansas City has had when it comes to left tackle Josh Simmons. His mysterious back injury has persisted for months now. And the final straw came when he was forced out of a team meeting by Reid and Patrick Mahomes.
Soon after, Simmons was placed on IR, with questions surrounding whether last year's first-round pick will ever play another snap for KC. And while Khalil Benson has done well in his stead this year, there is only so much good you can squeeze out of a backup tackle.
Now, with the in-house conduct issues concerning Suamataia, Mahomes entire blindside protection has been a complete revolving door all year. It's had an impact on his comfort in the pocket, and now it is starting to have a negative impact on what was a truly explosive rushing attack from Kenneth Walker III.
Walker ran for just 36 yards on 14 totes last week, and while we knew he certainly would not keep up his nearly 2,500-yard pace, the Chiefs definitely still need, without a doubt, their most dangerous offensive playmaker to be elite.
Add us as a preferred source on Google