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The Kansas City Chiefs are turning the page on a key part of their offensive line. With veteran Joe Thuney heading to Chicago, the left guard position suddenly became a hot topic at Arrowhead. Head coach Andy Reid has now officially announced that 22-year-old Kingsley Suamataia will transition from left tackle to compete for the left guard role-a move that could significantly impact Patrick Mahomes' protection going into the 2025 season.
Drafted in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft, Suamataia spent most of his rookie campaign at tackle. However, in the final game of the regular season against the Denver Broncos, he got his first taste of the left guard position-and impressed. Reid recently confirmed, "We're moving him in there... he's doing a nice job so far." Suamataia will battle Mike Caliendo for the starting spot, but all signs point to him being the front-runner.
Replacing Thuney won't be easy
Joe Thuney wasn't just a solid blocker-he was a playoff-tested anchor who could quietly shift roles mid-game without missing a beat. Filling that kind of void won't be simple. Still, Reid remains optimistic about Suamataia's versatility and athleticism. "When we brought him in, we knew he had that flexibility," said Reid. "He can run, block-he does everything you want in that position."
Chiefs nearly spend it all on undrafted rookies
While the Suamataia move grabbed headlines, another big play came off the field. Following the 2025 draft, Kansas City aggressively pursued undrafted free agents, dishing out nearly all of their $206,144 rookie bonus budget-finishing with just $144 left.
Tight end Jake Briningstool led the bonus haul with $30,000, while Dalton Cooper and Coziah Izzard each received $25,000. Other notable gs include Esa Pole, Kevin Knowles, and Glendon Miller, who earned $20,000 each. Even the lowest-paid rookies, like Elijah Young and Justin Lockhart, received a $3,000 bonus.
Protecting Mahomes is the priority
The message from Reid is loud and clear: keep Mahomes upright at all costs. With Suamataia potentially locking down the left guard spot and a fresh wave of linemen ing the ranks, the Chiefs are preparing for a new chapter in their quest for another Lombardi.