The Kansas City Chiefs wrapped up their final day of mandatory minicamp on Thursday and will have a month-long break. Once the break ends, the team will start training camp on July 21 at Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph, Missouri. One area of offense to monitor during the summer is the left guard competition while the Chiefs look to find a viable replacement for Joe Thuney, with two leading candidates.
A quick overview of the Kansas City Chiefs’ contenders
Kansas City Chiefs, Kingsley Suamataia
Jul 22, 2024; St. Joseph, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs offensive tackle Kingsley Suamataia (76) walks down the hill from the locker room to the fields prior to training camp at Missouri Western State University. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Kingsley Suamataia will compete for the starting left guard position. As previously discussed on Gridiron Heroics, the second-round pick from the 2024 NFL Draft began his rookie season as the starting left tackle but lost the job in Week 3 after being benched in Week 2. Suamataia has experience as a left guard, playing there in Week 18, and officially transitioned to the interior this offseason, hoping to turn around his career.
Also Read: “Doing a Nice Job”: Kansas City Chiefs on 2nd Round Pick’s Position Change
Mike Caliendo is the other competitor. The undrafted free agent from the 2022 draft class has served as the backup guard since 2023. When Joe Thuney switched to left tackle in Week 15, Caliendo took over at left guard and started six of the final seven games.
Kansas City Chiefs’ guard praised the 2nd-year competitor
Kansas City Chiefs, Mike Caliendo
Feb 9, 2025; New Orleans, LA, USA; Kansas City Chiefs guard Mike Caliendo (66) against the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LIX at Ceasars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
So far, both players have split time at left guard with the starting offense throughout OTAs and mandatory minicamp, as the competition will not be decided until they put the pads on in training camp. During Wednesday’s press conference, Mike Caliendo praised Kingsley Suamataia for doing a great job, via Ed Easton Jr. of Chiefs Wire. Caliendo also added that they have helped each other out.
“He’s been awesome,” Caliendo said, via Easton. “He’s been really focused on, like, perfecting his craft, and it’s been fun to watch him get in there at guard and really do a great job. And it’s fun helping him out, and he’s helping me out at the same time. So it’s been good.”
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