The Kansas City Chiefs entered the 2025 offseason knowing there would be changes in the interior of their offensive line. However, Kansas City did not take the route many fans expected, which shocked everyone.
Instead of letting right guard Trey Smith hit free agency, the Chiefs franchise tagged him. As a result, Kansas City was forced to trade All-Pro left guard Joe Thuney to the Chicago Bears in order to open up cap space. Although this wasn't the route many expected, it doesn't change the fact that the Chiefs knew they would have a new starting guard in 2025,
Earlier this offseason, general manager Brett Veach made it clear that the franchise believes last year's second-round pick, Kingsley Suamataia, has the ability to play guard. That said, Suamataia's starting spot in 2025 is by no means a guarantee, meaning he will have to work for it.
Kingsley Suamataia Must Prove He Can Start at Left Guard in 2025
As a rookie, Suamataia struggled mightily at left tackle. In 195 offensive snaps, he allowed three sacks, six QB hits, five QB hurries, and 14 QB pressures, according to PFF. Despite the 22-year-old second-round pick having the size to play tackle in the NFL, he was slow off the snap and got overpowered by pass rushers frequently.
Moving him to tackle mitigates those issues since he would be next to All-Pro center Creed Humphrey. Nevertheless, given his poor performance in 2024, Suamataia still must earn his starting spot at tackle. While he certainly has an inside track to beat Mike Caliendo, who also didn't play well last season, the Chiefs could look for a guard in the draft.
If Kansas City does draft a guard don't expect it to be within the first two rounds. in 2021, the Chiefs selected Smith in the sixth round and look how that turned out. Even though that pick came with extenuating circumstances, guards are typically found later in the draft.
Keeping that in mind, Kansas City's starting left guard in 2025 may not even be on the roster yet.