Kansas City Chiefs: Rising Stars and Offseason Insights 🌟
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The spotlight on Kingsley Suamataia truly began to shine during last season's Week 18 clash at Denver. This second-round rookie left tackle made a notable shift to left guard, where he captured admiration from teammates and rivals.
After the game, Broncos defensive tackle Zach Allen, himself a second-team All-Pro, approached Suamataia to commend him. “For my first time playing guard, he said I did pretty good,” recalled Suamataia proudly.
Head coach Andy Reid termed Suamataia's performance in that game as one of the few bright spots in the Chiefs' harsh 38-0 loss to the Broncos. With his debut as an interior lineman coupled with positive impressions from the offseason workouts, Reid expresses optimism for Suamataia's evolution as a guard heading into 2025.
“Firstly, he has experience, and he seems more at ease in this position,” Reid noted after the recent OTA. “While we aren’t engaging in full-speed contact yet, he’s getting opportunities to face off against top-tier players like Chris (Jones), which will undoubtedly help him prepare for the season.”
Drafted in the second round with the 63rd pick overall, Suamataia was initially viewed as the future left tackle for the Chiefs. However, that vision lasted only two games and 108 snaps before the Chiefs reassessed their strategy. Reid believes Suamataia can leverage his previous experiences to reforge his career.
“It appeared he adapted as the season progressed,” Reid said. “It was certainly challenging in the beginning, especially with the high expectations when you join a championship-caliber team as a rookie left tackle. It’s not an easy task. Still, I think it’s going to benefit him as he continues his journey.”
A New Perspective on the Game 🏈
Last year, Suamataia began practicing at guard on the scout team, and from what coaches observed, it wasn't just a move but a transformative experience that reignited his passion for the game.
“Being able to play aggressively right from the start, I love that,” Suamataia expressed. “Everyone enjoys playing O-line, but approaching the game from the guard position gave me a fresh perspective. It’s a unique opportunity, and I’m making the most out of it.”
OTA Insights and Observations 🌥️
The Chiefs faced cloudy skies and humid conditions during a recent practice, but the temperatures cooled down to a comfortable 76 degrees as the session closed. Receiver Rashee Rice, who often deals with nausea during intense practices, still seemed to manage the day well.
OTA session number nine mirrored earlier sessions showcased to the media. The one-hour and 40-minute practice kicked off with stretching, conditioning, position drills, and special teams activities before transitioning into 7-on-7 and 11-on-11 matchups.
The 7-on-7 segment commenced with a defensive stop that set the tone for the rest of the day. Star quarterback Patrick Mahomes looked down the left sideline for Xavier Worthy, who had previously struggled with boundary routes. However, Worthy executed this route flawlessly, giving Mahomes a perfect opportunity to lead him away from the boundary. Although the play was beautifully set up, safety Jaden Hicks mirrored Worthy step-for-step, ultimately knocking the ball loose.
“Yes, it was a corner blitz,” Hicks explained. “I recognized I had the speedy guy, and my focus was to stay on top of him and make the play. It worked out well for me.”
Mahomes had a solid start, connecting on three out of five passes, including throws to tight ends Robert Tonyan and Noah Gray, as well as receiver Skyy Moore. However, he misfired on a checkdown intended for Kareem Hunt. Backup quarterbacks Gardner Minshew and Bailey Zappe faced a tough defense, resulting in two incomplete passes, one of which was due to rookie cornerback Nohl Williams' coverage against Elijhah Badger.
Mahomes experienced a hiccup on his first throw during his second rotation, overlooking a receiver resulting in an incomplete pass. Yet, he rallied to connect on four consecutive throws to diverse targets, including Moore, Rice, Brashard Smith, and Jason Brownlee.
The highlight of the day came courtesy of Smith, who ran a wheel route from the line of scrimmage. Mahomes delivered a perfectly timed throw, allowing Smith to create significant separation. Cornerback Kristian Fulton couldn't keep pace with Smith, who easily could’ve scored.
Defensive plays continued as cornerback Nazeeh Johnson made an impressive interception against a Minshew pass aimed at Justyn Ross.
As the Chiefs turned their attention to regular-season opponents, the focus shifted to the Las Vegas Raiders, with the scout team replicating looks from Raiders defensive coordinator Patrick Graham.
In a spirited response during 11-on-11 drills, Mahomes completed nine consecutive passes to six different receivers, showcasing the depth of talent on the squad.
Injury Report and Attendance 📄
In total, only six players were absent from the recent workouts, with the tight end position appearing noticeably thin due to injuries. Jake Briningstool, not participating, observed practice wearing a compression sleeve on his right leg.
The Chiefs have no obligation to issue injury reports during the offseason, and Reid acknowledged earlier that he would refrain from discussing injuries in detail.
In addition to Briningstool, rookie free agent Tre Watson also did not participate. Jared Wiley, recovering from a torn ACL, made an appearance but did not engage in the practice sessions.
Travis Kelce remained absent, further restricting the group’s numbers. In his absence, the Chiefs only had three healthy tight ends: Gray, Tonyan, and Kevin Foelsch, specifically signed to add depth.
Along with the tight end limitations, offensive lineman Trey Smith, wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster, and linebacker Drue Tranquill were also absent.
Spotlight on Trey Smith 🌟
Participating in voluntary offseason activities has been robust for the Chiefs, except for right guard Trey Smith, who secured a one-year franchise tender worth $23.402 million for the next season. He has yet to participate as he negotiates a long-term extension.
There’s an escalated concern regarding attendance at the upcoming mandatory minicamp, as players who miss this event could face fines up to $104,768, equating to approximately 0.45% of Smith’s 2025 salary.
Reid remains uncertain about Smith's anticipated attendance next week. “We’ll see how things unfold,” he remarked.
Kelce, who has missed several OTA practices, is expected back in Kansas City shortly, according to insider sources.
New Faces to Keep an Eye On 👀
As the offseason progresses, several newcomers are poised to make significant impacts on the roster, either through unexpected standout performances or filling essential roles.
RB Brashard Smith: Consistency has kept Smith on the radar, especially after a spectacular catch during practice. Smith is anticipated to shine on special teams, possibly securing a primary kick returner role.
RB Elijah Mitchell: With competition fierce among running backs, Mitchell is showcasing speed reminiscent of his past, aiming to solidify his position and prove his worth.
DE Ashton Gillotte: While he may not be the first draft pick to see playtime, Gillotte's quickness could lead to impactful contributions in pass-rushing scenarios.
LB Brandon George: Undrafted free agents have made waves before, and George could follow suit, showing promise in both defensive plays and special teams duties.
- DB Chris Roland-Wallace: Not new, but with potential shifts in roles, he could emerge as a valuable asset by filling dual positions as a corner and safety.
Farewell to a Coaching Veteran 🎉
In a surprising turn, the Chiefs announced the retirement of assistant special teams coach Andy Hill, who served the team for five seasons. Hill’s impressive background includes 24 years at the University of Missouri in varied coaching roles.
“Andy has left a lasting impact here,” Reid said, recalling Hill's relationships and contributions to the team. It’s clear he will be sorely missed.
New appointments are already in play, with Porter Ellett stepping up as the assistant to special teams coordinator Dave Toub, and Mark DeLeone rejoining as the assistant running backs coach.
What's Next? 📅
With one more OTA scheduled and the mandatory minicamp approaching from June 17-19, excitement builds as the Chiefs gear up for the next phase of preparation before heading to training camp. Be sure to stay tuned for announcements regarding training camp schedules and ticket details!