The Kansas City Chiefs will wrap up their organized team activities (OTAs) on Friday before the mandatory minicamp starts next week on June 17. This will be the last tune-up before training camp starts next month, offering the final opportunities for players to step up into bigger roles.
After troubles along the offensive line last season, the Chiefs added Jaylon Moore and Josh Simmons while also trading away Joe Thuney to help shake up the frontline. The departure of Thuney opened up a hole at left guard. There will be a competition between Mike Caliendo and Kingsley Suamataia, but many fans expect the latter to win that job.
With expectations high surrounding Suamataia, it's safe to say his counterpart is flying under the radar.
Chiefs OL Mike Caliendo Has Flown Under the Radar
Caliendo hasn't been garnering much attention as he prepares for Year 2 as a pro; however, he could have a shot to steal the starting LG spot after Suamataia's poor 2024 performance.
The BYU product was drafted in the second round of the 2024 NFL draft but struggled immensely as a rookie, starting at left tackle before taking some snaps at guard in Week 18 and the playoffs.
Suamataia was often terrible wherever he played, posting a 37.9 overall Pro Football Focus grade (137th among 140 graded tackles), a 30.5 pass-blocking grade (T-131st), and a 46.2 run-blocking grade (129th). In 198 offensive snaps, he allowed 14 pressures, six QB hits, and three sacks.
Meanwhile, Caliendo started in three regular-season games and all three postseason games for the Chiefs. He didn't light the world on fire either, logging a 51.6 run-blocking grade in the playoffs, while giving up eight pressures and two sacks.
Head coach Andy Reid has made it clear there will be a competition at left guard. Due to Suamataia being a second-rounder, many are looking for him to win the contest, allowing Caliendo to go under wraps.
It's all about what happens on the field from here on out, but from the outside looking in, it appears the pressure is more on Suamataia than it is on Caliendo. And the Western Michigan product may like it that way.