Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes is undeniably one of the NFL’s brightest stars, but even a player of his caliber cannot single-handedly carry a team to victory in the ultimate team sport of football. After a challenging 2024 season marked by a depleted wide receiver corps and instability at left tackle, the Chiefs are banking on two young offensive linemen—rookie Josh Simmons and second-year player Kingsley Suamataia—to bolster their offensive line and protect Mahomes’ blindside in 2025. These two players could be the secret weapons that determine whether Mahomes and the Chiefs’ offense return to their dominant form or continue to face the struggles of recent years.
A Challenging 2024 Season
The 2024 season was a statistical low point for Mahomes, largely due to injuries at wide receiver and inconsistency at the left tackle position. The Chiefs’ offense, typically a juggernaut, sputtered at times as Mahomes lacked reliable targets and faced relentless pressure from opposing defenses. The departure of All-Pro left guard Joe Thuney during the offseason, traded to gain salary cap relief and draft capital, further complicated matters. Replacing Thuney is Kingsley Suamataia, a young lineman still adapting to the guard position after struggling at left tackle last season. Meanwhile, the Chiefs are pinning their hopes on rookie Josh Simmons to solidify the left tackle role. The success of these two players will be pivotal in determining whether Mahomes can rediscover his MVP-level performance in 2025.
Josh Simmons: The Franchise Left Tackle Hope
Josh Simmons, a highly touted rookie, enters the 2025 season with sky-high expectations. The Chiefs see him as a potential cornerstone at left tackle, a position critical to protecting Mahomes’ blindside and giving him the time needed to make his signature plays. During training camp, Simmons has shown flashes of the athleticism and technical prowess that made him a prized draft pick. Mahomes, speaking to the media after a recent practice, expressed optimism about Simmons’ development.
“I thought they learned a ton,” Mahomes said of Simmons and Suamataia. “Obviously they’re talented and they have the physical abilities, but being tested by Spags [Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo] every single day, you have to learn how to not make the same mistakes twice, and they did a good job of that.”
Simmons’ ability to handle elite pass rushers will be critical. If he can live up to the hype and provide stability at left tackle, the Chiefs’ offense could regain its explosiveness. His rapid development would allow Mahomes to focus on reading defenses and delivering pinpoint passes rather than dodging pressure. However, as a rookie, Simmons faces a steep learning curve, and any growing pains could expose Mahomes to the same vulnerabilities that plagued the offense in 2024.
Kingsley Suamataia: The Wild Card
While optimism surrounds Simmons, expectations for Kingsley Suamataia are more tempered. After struggling at left tackle in his rookie season, Suamataia was moved to left guard to replace Thuney, a transition that requires him to adapt to a new role. The shift to guard plays to Suamataia’s strengths, offering him a chance to leverage his physicality in a less technically demanding position. Still, his inexperience at the position makes him a wild card for the 2025 season.
Mahomes’ comments suggest that Suamataia is making strides. “I thought they did a great job getting better and better each and every day at training camp, and we can continue to build that throughout the season,” he noted. Suamataia’s ability to learn from his mistakes and handle the physical and mental demands of facing top-tier defensive linemen will be crucial. If he can hold his own, the Chiefs’ offensive line could gel into a cohesive unit. However, if Suamataia develops slowly, Mahomes may face continued pressure from the interior, disrupting the pocket and limiting the offense’s effectiveness.
The Stakes for 2025
The Chiefs’ hopes for a return to Super Bowl contention rest heavily on the shoulders of Simmons and Suamataia. If Simmons emerges as a reliable franchise left tackle, he could anchor the line and give Mahomes the protection he needs to exploit defenses. Should Suamataia prove to be a competent replacement for Thuney, the offensive line could provide the stability that was sorely lacking in 2024. Together, these two young linemen have the potential to transform the Chiefs’ offense, allowing Mahomes to operate at his best and utilize the team’s improved wide receiver corps, which is expected to stay healthier in 2025.
However, the risks are evident. Relying on two inexperienced players to protect Mahomes’ blindside is a gamble. If Simmons struggles to adjust to the speed and complexity of NFL defenses, or if Suamataia fails to adapt to his new role, the Chiefs could see a repeat of the offensive woes that have plagued them over the past two seasons. The margin for error is slim, and the pressure is on for both players to perform.
Conclusion
Josh Simmons and Kingsley Suamataia may not be household names yet, but their impact on the Kansas City Chiefs’ 2025 season could be profound. As the team looks to reclaim its place atop the NFL, these two young linemen will be the X-factors in determining whether Patrick Mahomes can return to his elite form. With Simmons’ potential to become a franchise left tackle and Suamataia’s opportunity to solidify the left guard position, the Chiefs are betting on youth to pave the way for success. Training camp reports are encouraging, but the true test lies ahead. If Simmons and Suamataia rise to the occasion, they could be the secret weapons that propel the Chiefs back to glory. If not, Kansas City may face another season of frustration.