Chiefs fans just got some wild news about their offensive line: Left guard Kingsley Suamataia, who shockingly sat out the entire Week 4 win against the Las Vegas Raiders, is officially “back in” according to Coach Andy Reid. Suamataia had been the every-game starter at left guard since the 2025 season kicked off, so his benching for Mike Caliendo for that entire contest was a major head-scratcher. Reid kept the details behind that Week 4 decision strictly between him and Suamataia, but after the Week 5 bye, he told local media via video call, straight up, “Yeah, he’ll be back in.” It’s great to hear, but it leaves us with so many questions about what’s actually happening up front.
The Mystery of the Left Side Solved… Or Is It?
So, Kingsley is back. Awesome. But let’s be real, the left side of this offensive line has been a whole situation. Beyond the sudden Suamataia benching, second-year left tackle Josh Simmons has been sidelined for the entire season. He’s been recovering from a bulging disc in his lower back, and his absence has been felt. Ahead of Wednesday’s practice, Reid didn’t exactly deliver a clear timeline on Simmons’ return, only saying, “Josh was here all week and doing his rehab and stuff, so we’ll see. They’ll be back in tomorrow and have a better idea of what’s going on.” That doesn’t exactly scream “he’s ready to roll,” does it? ESPN’s Nate Taylor, who was on “Cody & Gold” last Tuesday on 96.5 The Fan, even shared he’d be surprised if Simmons practices this week. So, while Suamataia’s return is a relief, the long-term puzzle at left tackle remains super cloudy.
Benson’s Emergence Creates a Whole New Headache
Now here’s where it gets interesting, and frankly, a bit complicated. With Simmons out, rookie left tackle Kahlil Benson has stepped up and filled in “admirably” this season. And let’s be honest, he’s been playing lights out. This means when Simmons eventually gets healthy, Coach Reid and the staff have a huge decision to make. Does Benson, who’s proven he can hang, go to the bench as a sixth-man backup, capable of stepping in at both guard and tackle? Or, and this is the juicy part, does he outright take right tackle Jaylon Moore’s spot in the starting five? Moore has exclusively played offensive tackle in his NFL career, even though he practiced at guard during training camp. If Benson stays in the starting lineup on the right side, it keeps the current interior depth intact. But if Benson gets pushed to the bench, he could literally be the guy to replace Suamataia the next time he mysteriously sits out an entire game.
The Chiefs spent their bye week doing a ton of self-scouting, and you just know the left side of that offensive line was high on the list. As the season pushes forward, how they figure this out is going to be massive. Will Suamataia seamlessly slot back in? What’s the plan for Benson’s incredible emergence? And when, if ever, will Simmons be back? This offensive line, which is the heart of everything we do, is about to get a serious test of its depth and flexibility. You better believe all eyes will be on those trenches.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Arrowhead Pride.
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