Chiefs OC Matt Nagy praised rookie Josh Simmons' athletic college film and commended his professional rehab, highlighting his strong developmental environment with the O-line coaches. By Tammy Ljungblad| Tammy Ljungblad
Kansas City Chiefs second-year pro Kingsley Suamataia found an unlikely source of inspiration while transitioning from left tackle to left guard in the NFL — from a player on one of his team’s biggest rivals.
Suamataia, who started KC’s first two games at left tackle last season before getting benched, was switched to left guard late in the season before getting a trial run at the new spot during the Chiefs’ meaningless Week 18 game against the Denver Broncos.
In that matchup, Suamataia impressed, with coach Andy Reid recently saying his performance was “the only positive that came out” of the Chiefs’ 38-0 road loss that day.
It turns out someone else thought Suamataia played well, too. That would be Broncos second-team All-Pro defensive lineman Zach Allen, who lined up against Suamataia before finding him postgame.
“He just said for playing guard my first time, he said I did pretty good,” Suamataia said Thursday.
The words meant something, Suamataia said, boosting his confidence as he enters an offseason where he’ll aim to win the starting spot at left guard vacated by the just-traded Joe Thuney.
“It’s a big trust component, just being thrown in out there at guard, a new position,” Suamataia said. “But I’ve gotta put my best foot forward every day.”
That’s been easier because of his mindset — and the freedom he says he’s felt while embracing a new challenge.
Kansas City Chiefs offensive tackle Kingsley Suamataia arrives for the game against the Denver Broncos on Sunday, Nov. 10, 2024, at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
Suamataia, while learning guard over the last few months, said he “fell in love with it.” Not only does the new position allow him a more aggressive mentality while firing off the ball, but it’s also helped him to move on from some of last year’s struggles.
“Just like a nice little restart,” Suamataia said. “Got a new position ... it’s like Year 1 all over again.”
Reid admitted Thursday that what Suamataia went through as a rookie wasn’t easy for a young player. After being declared the starter at left tackle in the preseason, Suamataia was benched in the fourth quarter of his second game and never regained a full-time role.
Still, Reid believes the experience of playing will benefit Suamataia in the future, even as he shifts primarily to left guard.
“He looks more comfortable there,” Reid said. “He seems to be picking it up pretty well.”
Suamataia said that 2024 taught him that a few details will require additional attention. He vowed to continue improving on some “little things,” which included perfecting his technique on steps and working to master the playbook.
The Chiefs figure to have position battles at both left tackle and left guard during training camp next month. Suamataia and Mike Caliendo are the top candidates at guard, while free-agent Jaylon Moore and first-round rookie Josh Simmons will compete for the job at tackle.
Suamataia, a 2024 second-round pick who just turned 22 in January, said he didn’t take lightly the responsibility of protecting for Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes.
“I’m blocking (with) the best player in the NFL behind me,” Suamataia said. “So I take a lot of pride in that, moving into guard with a new opportunity.”
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Jesse Newell — he’s won an EPPY for best sports blog and previously has been named top beat writer in his circulation by AP’s Sports Editors — covers the Chiefs for The Star. His interest in sports analytics comes from his math teacher father, who handed out rulers to Trick-or-Treaters each year.
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