Midseason Check: Is Chiefs’ Left Guard Kingsley Suamataia Living Up to the Hype or Falling Short?.QQ

How did Kansas City’s new left guard look in the first half of the season?

Nov 15, 2025, 1:30 AM GMT+7

The (5-4) Kansas City Chiefs have experienced ups and downs so far this year. While the team is not where it wants to be, there were still plenty of positives in the first half of the season.

One of them was the Chiefs finding a long-term starter at left guard. Kingsley Suamataia has opened every game of the season — and has played well.

A year ago, Suamataia seemed lost at left tackle; he started three games before being ultimately benched for poor performance. This season, he has come back in a big way, making the transition to the interior, where he appears to be a natural.

He hasn’t been perfect, but his performance in the first half of the year has laid the foundation for what is shaping up to be a successful career.

Let’s take a look.

Grading the film

During the bye week, I reviewed every game of the season, grading every one of Suamataia’s snaps.

To save time, I used a simple grading method: Did he do his job or not?

While his season grade of 70% would be a “C” on a report card, it is important to point out that some losses are worse than others. Suamatia managed to avoid critical losses throughout most of the season. With only one sack allowed and one penalty committed through nine games, he has not hurt the team. With his wins, he has been a highly productive player.

Pass protection

Suamataia doesn’t have the quickness or flexibility to be an NFL tackle, but his build and strength have made him a perfect fit at guard. The interior offensive line requires greater base strength and hand-fighting ability — rather than the complex footwork required to play tackle.

He has played with good hands and a strong base all season — and it has helped him win snaps at a high rate.