Former Chiefs receiver Gehrig Dieter believes Kingsley Suamataia's TikTok dances explain his two benchings after citing his own experience with Andy Reid's objection to his YouTube channel
Kingsley Suamataia dances before taking the field for the Kansas City Chiefs
A former Chiefs WR believes Kingsley Suamataia has been benched twice due to TikTok dancing
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Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid has built an NFL dynasty while also managing major off-field player controversies and behavioral issues, but a dancing offensive lineman might be enough to test his patience and send Kingsley Suamataia to the bench.
Former Chiefs receiver Gehrig Dieter believes Suamataia's TikTok account explains his recent benchings. The 23-year-old, 326-pound lineman was benched twice this season, both times around when he posted dancing videos on the platform.
Reid has rejected the suggestion that either decision was disciplinary, leaving NFL fans guessing why a 23-year-old guard kept disappearing from the offense. Especially since Suamataia is listed as healthy and active on the team's 53-man roster.
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Dieter thinks the answer for the 2024 NFL Draft selection is hiding in plain sight. Suamataia's dancing videos appeared around both absences, and the former NFL receiver says he knows from experience that his old coach doesn't like players posting social media content.
"It's got to be these TikToks," Dieter said on Sports Radio 810 WHB. "I'm serious." He argued that Reid would be unlikely to appreciate seeing his left guard dancing online while questions surrounded his place on the team.
Dieter said he briefly started a YouTube channel in Kansas City with former teammates Patrick Mahomes and Tyreek Hill, but stopped after the team's former Vice President of Communications, Ted Crews, warned him that Reid "doesn't really like that type of thing."
The former receiver also made his own preferences clear. "I don't want to see my left tackle wearing a nose ring, and I don't want to see my left guard on TikTok doing dancing," he said.
Suamataia lost his spot to veteran Mike Caliendo against the Raiders in Week 4 and the Broncos in Week 8. Reid has repeatedly refused to explain the decisions publicly, insisting they were matters between himself and the player rather than punishment.
"I didn't say it was punishment, ever," Reid previously insisted. "This was just between Kingsley and me, working some things out here."
Kingsley Suamataia dances on TikTok
Kingsley Suamataia was benched twice this season
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Suamataia has since given the response, "That's between coach Reid and me. It’ll be like that, but it was a good feeling to be with the boys again and play backyard football.”
"Whether I have to show the scout team looks or be on the field, I have to give 110 percent to help this team out," he continued. Suamataia also hasn't struggled in pass protection, so that's unlikely to be the reason for his on-field performance.
He earned an 84.8 pass-blocking grade against Seattle before Denver benched him. Suamataia returned Sunday and allowed just one pressure in Kansas City's win over the Jets, plus a key block on Kenneth Walker's touchdown.