Is Kingsley Suamataia a breakout candidate for the 2025 season? The Kansas City Chiefs certainly hope so. In fact, they seem to be counting on it.
No one is expecting Suamataia to be able to make Chiefs Kingdom forget about the All-Pro abilities of Joe Thuney in the near future. Such a loss is going to be felt no matter who takes over at left guard following the trade of Thuney to the Chicago Bears this offseason. However, Suamataia can (and hopefully will) soften the blow.
That much is what Pro Football Network is predicting in a list of breakout players to watch in minicamps this spring around the NFL.
Kingsley Suamataia’s potential breakout campaign is just what everyone involved needs most.
PFN specifically points to Suamataia as a player who could blossom in his second season with a slight change of scenery after a disappointing first season in Kansas City. The chance to play inside along the interior could be a bit more forgiving for a young player, yet Suamataia’s natural skill set and athleticism should still be an asset next to Creed Humphrey.
The Chiefs selected Suamataia in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft as a high-upside play at left tackle. Suamataia was a young developmental prospect out of Brigham Young who earned the starting nod outside protecting Patrick Mahomes’ blindside from the start of training camp. He’d earn the first two starts of the season but got a quick hook after two subpar performances to start the year proved he wasn’t ready for the responsibility.
After being benched for Wanya Morris, Suamataia would remain on the sidelines on game days as the Chiefs continued to try new players at the position, including Thuney and D.J. Humphries, but he turned heads in Week 18 with a solid effort at left guard. Head coach Andy Reid rested all of his primary starters in that meaningless game against the Denver Broncos, but Suamataia’s performance has been an offseason talking point ever since.
The Chiefs seem to be placing all of their eggs in Suamataia’s basket, despite mentions to the contrary of a competition in training camp. Other options are Mike Caliendo, Hunter Nourzad, C.J. Hanson, or Tremayne Anchrum—all names with a lower ceiling and/or more questions than Suamataia.
The Chiefs had a difficult financial choice to make this offseason along the offensive line with Trey Smith scheduled to hit free agency. They traded Thuney to create the room to retain Smith, but that created a void at his old left guard spot. However, that void is a golden opportunity for Suamataia to change the early narrative surrounding his career.
