In 2023, the Kansas City Chiefs‘ offensive line played a pivotal role in winning the team’s second consecutive championship.
Let’s consider what we should expect in 2024.
Managing the medium
Rich in talent, Kansas City’s offensive line boasted the league’s best interior trio in 2023. Center Creed Humphrey, right guard Trey Smith and first-team All-Pro left guard Joe Thuney provided the wall for the quarterback of field Patrick Mahomes and opened running lanes. back Isiah Pacheco. In 2024, all three will return and their performances will once again be a critical factor in the line’s success.
Since both will be playing for rich new contracts, Humphrey and Smith will likely play their best football. Humphrey, a Pro Bowl selection in 2023, will likely rank among the league’s best centers. While one of the most intimidating players in the NFL, Smith has yet to earn an All-Pro or Pro Bowl nod, but with a breakout season, he has an excellent chance to be among the league’s best in the position of him. While the pectoral injury that prevented Thuney from finishing the postseason kept him out of OTAs, the perennial All-Pro is expected to be ready before the season begins.
But another key interior contributor won’t be returning. Reserve interior lineman Nick Allegretti signed with the Washington Commanders in free agency. Throughout his five-year career in Kansas City, Allegretti played in some big spots (he started two Super Bowls) and delivered.
Allegretti could play all three interior positions, so the Chiefs need to replace that versatility. His top candidates are rookie Hunter Nourzad and third-year player Mike Caliendo. In 2023, Nourzad was Penn State’s starting center, but can also play left and right guard. While Caliendo has the same ability, his two years of experience in Kansas City’s system could give him an advantage.
Two other rookies, CJ Hanson and McKade Mettaeur, will likely make the practice squad.
Discovering the tackles
There should be no question about right tackle. Even with some sporadic play in 2023, Jawaan Taylor has three years left on his contract, and with a salary cap hit of more than $24 million in 2024, he will be the starter on the right.
But the left tackle spot is up for grabs. We expect an interesting camp battle between second-year player Wanya Morris and second-round rookie Kingsley Suamataia at one of the most critical positions in the game. The winner is expected to bring long-term stability to the position for the first time since Eric Fisher was on the blindside, and as Mahomes’ primary protector, he would also gain quite a bit of notoriety.
Morris started four games in 2023, showing the ups and downs we expect from a rookie protecting the quarterback’s blind side.
At BYU, Suamataia excelled in pass protection; The Chiefs acquired him with the 63rd pick in the NFL Draft. It’s not often that a rookie left tackle taken after the first round becomes a starter, but the way the Chiefs have talked about Suamataia, they seem very high on his upside.
Whichever player doesn’t win the starting job will likely end up at swing tackle, and as we’ve learned in recent years, this is an important position as well.
Lucas Niang and Chukwuebuka (Jason) Godrick will compete to make the roster as reserve tackles; Niang could even be a backup player on the inside. Offensive line coach Andy Heck has mentioned rookie Ethan Driskell several times this offseason. It sounds like he’s a candidate to make the practice squad.
Projections
Historically, the Chiefs have had between 9 and 10 offensive linemen on their roster.
- Starters: Suamataia, Thuney, Humphrey, Smith and Taylor
- Backups: Morris, Caliendo, Nourzad, Niang and Godrick
- Practice Team: Hanson, Driskell and Mettauer
Since the disaster of Super Bowl LV, the Chiefs have spared no effort in building and developing their offensive line. In 2024, he could be one of the best units in the league, and if the Chiefs want to win a third title, he will have to be.
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