Patrick Mahomes played without his starting left guard against the Las Vegas Raiders, after Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid made an unexpected roster decision
Patrick Mahomes sided with Andy Reid after Kingsley Suamataia was benched
Patrick Mahomes sided with Andy Reid after Kingsley Suamataia was benched(Image: 2026 Getty Images)
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Andy Reid decided to bench starting left guard Kingsley Suamataia during Sunday's narrow win over the Las Vegas Raiders, and Patrick Mahomes has responded after playing without his reliable protector.
The Kansas City Chiefs beat the Raiders 30-27 on the road at Allegiant Stadium, improving to 3-0 on the season and taking down the only other undefeated team in the AFC West. However, it came at a cost as Rashee Rice and Tyquan Thornton suffered injuries.
Rice hobbled off after a non-contact injury in the first quarter, while Thornton is expected to miss the regular season after a gruesome ankle injury. The Chiefs may need to sign a new wide receiver, but Mahomes was content with his backup left guard, who didn't appear to play because of an injury to Suamataia.
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Suamataia started all 17 games for the Chiefs last season and had featured in every game this year until Reid made a roster change ahead of facing the Raiders in Week 4. Backup offensive guard Mike Caliendo was elevated, with rumblings of a disciplinary decision.
Mahomes has only just returned from a torn ACL and LCL in his left knee, but has made a strong start to the season. While Reid may have wanted to ensure Mahomes had the best possible protection, he was forced to make a change.
When asked about the position swap, Mahomes showed solidarity with his head coach and praised Caliendo as a backup. "Kingsley knows how important he is to the team," Mahomes said to reporters after Sunday's win.
Kingsley Suamataia was benched for Mike Caliendo against the Raiders
Kingsley Suamataia was benched for Mike Caliendo against the Raiders(Image: 2026 Candice Ward)
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"And so, my coach, he’ll keep it between him and Kingsley. But at the end of the day, man, we have a guy like Mike Caliendo, who’s played in a lot of big games and had a lot of reps.
"He stepped right in and did a great job against a really good defensive line. So, I have a ton of trust in him. And then we’ll get Kingsley back in the fold here soon."
Mahomes hinted that there was something lingering between Suamataia and Reid, though nothing official has come out of the Chiefs' facility. Reid also addressed the situation, admitting he had stuff to "figure out" with the offensive guard.
Andy Reid hinted that he has things to "figure out" with Suamataia
Andy Reid hinted that he has things to "figure out" with Suamataia(Image: Getty Images)
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"As far as the Kingsley thing goes, before you guys ask, that’s between Kingsley and I," Reid said. "We’ll figure it out, and down the road, we’ll be better as a team for it, and Kingsley will be better for it.
"That’s between Kingsley. I might have stuttered when I said that."
Reid's immediate focus is on the wide receiver room, with Thornton set to miss the regular season and Rice suffering a hamstring injury. The lack of options has even led the Chiefs to consider bringing back former star Tyreek Hill.
Hill previously won the Super Bowl with the Chiefs before securing a market-setting contract with the Miami Dolphins. Hill is a free agent, and is reportedly in negotiations with the Chiefs over a short-term, veteran contract.