The Kansas City Chiefs proved that they're the team to beat in the AFC with a decisive 37-20 win over the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday. It was the type of performance that the Chiefs needed to end September on a high note, and someone who played a key role in the Week 4 victory was none other than second-year offensive lineman Kingsley Suamataia.
Chiefs fans have been wondering if Suamataia has what it takes to be a long-term solution at left guard, and his latest effort showed he can handle it. The 2024 second-rounder "did not allow a pressure on 41 pass blocks," according to KSHB 41 News' Nick Jacobs, which was the first time Suamataia accomplished the feat in 19 regular-season games.
Kingsley Suamataia Shows Signs of Improvement in Chiefs' Week 4 Win
Suamataia's latest effort is exactly what Chiefs fans needed from him following a bumpy start to his NFL career. The former BYU blocker was often one of Kansas City's most frustrating linemen to watch during his rookie season, as he finished with putrid Pro Football Focus grades regarding pass (30.5) and run blocking (46.2), leaving fans to wonder if he was capable of being a starter.
After mostly playing backup left tackle snaps last year, Suamataia was moved to the LT spot after Joe Thuney was traded to the Chicago Bears in the offseason. The first three weeks to begin the 2025 season were bumpy, to say the least, as the 6-foot-6, 315-pound guard watched his overall PFF grade drop from 59.9 to 57.5 to 44.5 with each passing game.
Fortunately, Suamataia finally stopped the bleeding on Sunday by keeping the Ravens' defenders at bay. He was creating gaps for his running back teammates when needed, and he also kept quarterback Patrick Mahomes' pocket well-guarded. Suamataia's PFF grades aren't available at the time of writing; however, one has to assume it'll match his season-high from Week 1, if not completely blow it out of the water.
One game is a small sample size, but it's enough to leave the Chiefs' fan base to feel hopeful that more success is on the horizon.
Even if Baltimore's defense wasn't at full strength, Kansas City fans have to feel confident about the O-line's outlook moving forward. The future of the Chiefs' frontline will only look more promising if Suamataia can string together similar performances in the coming weeks, with the next opportunity coming against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Monday Night Football in Week 6.