Arrowhead Pride
Chiefs headlines for Monday, July 21
NFL’s 10 biggest position battles for 2025 training camps | SB Nation
Who wins the left tackle job in Kansas City?
Along the way to Super Bowl LIX many experts pointed to the offensive line as a potential problem for the Kansas City Chiefs. Yet as they rolled through the regular season and into the playoffs, Patrick Mahomes and company found ways to overcome that perceived weakness.
The bill finally came due in the big game, as the Philadelphia Eagles hounded Mahomes to the tune of 16 pressures and six sacks despite using just a four-man rush during the entire contest.
This year that group will look a little different, particularly on the left side. Veteran Joe Thuney, who slid to left tackle due to need last year, is in Chicago having been traded to the Bears. That means 2024 second-round pick Kingsley Suamataia likely slides into the left guard spot vacated by Thuney.
As for left tackle, Kansas City drafted Josh Simmons out of Ohio State to close out the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft. Simmons began his college career on the right side at San Diego State, before moving over to the left side after transferring to Ohio State. He is also coming off a knee injury, which clouds the picture somewhat. He likely gets the first crack at the spot, but veteran Jaylon Moore, added in free agency, is another option.
Protecting Mahomes’ blindside is a big task in Kansas City, and after Super Bowl LIX Andy Reid and company will want the best man for the job.
Kansas City Chiefs: 11-6
Since Patrick Mahomes took over as their starting quarterback in 2018, the Kansas City Chiefs haven’t finished below 11-6 in a regular season. That feels like a safe worst-case scenario to provide for one of the NFL’s consistent powerhouses.
The Chiefs went 15-2 last year, and one of those losses came in Week 18. They lost Joe Thuney and Tershawn Wharton this offseason, but their core on both sides of the ball is mostly intact. They could also drop a few of the toss-up games on their schedule, but double-digit wins feels like a lock for them.
On Sunday, the day before players are scheduled to report, Chiefs coach Andy Reid said Rice would be a full participant in camp. Reid’s decision comes three days after Rice was sentences to 30 days in jail and five years probation for his role in a multi-car crash in 2024 in Dallas, Texas.
“We’re going to progress as normal with him,” Reid said, according to the Associated Press. “He’ll go in...
