One of the Kansas City Chiefs' main focuses this offseason is maintaining, or even improving their offensive line. While a discussion can be had on whether keeping guard Trey Smith or fixing left tackle is more important, Kansas City must find solutions for both.
On Tuesday, general manager Brett Veach had this to say about Smith's situation: "We've already had some good dialogue with him and with CAA (his agency)."
That said, if negotiations with the 25-year-old guard fall through, the Chiefs may have his replacement already in-house. According to Cody Tapp of 96.5 the Fan, when Veach was asked about Kingsley Suamataia still working at left tackle this offseason, he emphasized Suamataia's upside at guard.
We asked Brett Veach about If Kingsley could still work at LT this offseason but he emphasized that he has a lot of upside at guard
— Cody Tapp (@codybtapp) February 25, 2025
Chiefs GM Brett Veach Signals Position Change for Kingsley Suamataia
Suamataia's struggles at left tackle as a rookie were well documented. According to PFF, the 2024 second-round pick allowed three sacks, six QB hits, five QB hurries, and 14 QB pressures in eight games this season. Suamataia's difficulties in pass protection led to him being what appeared to be a healthy scratch in all three playoff games.
Nonetheless, the blame for Suamataia's struggles doesn't fall solely on his shoulders. Head coach Andy Reid could have given Suamataia more help instead of stranding him out on an island. However, Reid's offenses rarely incorporate chip blocks, which clearly hurt their line as a whole this season.
Moving Suamataia to the interior not only allows him to take over for Smith if he doesn't re-sign, but it also provides an opportunity to take over for Joe Thuney. The 32-year-old guard enters free agency after the 2025 season, at which point he will be 33. Given his age, Thuney could retire after 2025, or Kansas City could mutually part ways with him.
Ultimately, Chiefs fans will have to wait and see what the organization decides to do with Suamataia.