The Kansas City Chiefs have long been the NFL’s gold standard, a dynasty marching to three consecutive AFC Championships and Super Bowl appearances. With Patrick Mahomes, one of the league’s most electrifying quarterbacks, under center, their dominance seemed untouchable. Yet, a glaring weakness emerged in Super Bowl LIX against the Philadelphia Eagles, exposing a critical flaw that could derail their quest for another title: their crumbling offensive line.
Last season, the Chiefs’ offensive line was a sieve, allowing Mahomes to be sacked more times than in any other year of his illustrious career. The low point came in the Super Bowl, where the Eagles’ relentless pass rush battered Mahomes with a staggering six sacks—a season-high and a playoff career-worst for the star quarterback. This relentless pressure disrupted Kansas City’s high-octane offense, contributing significantly to their heartbreaking loss. Protecting Mahomes is non-negotiable for the Chiefs’ championship aspirations, and the front office knew changes were urgent.
This offseason, the Chiefs took bold steps to address their Achilles’ heel. They signed veteran offensive lineman Jaylon Moore to a two-year deal, bringing experience to a unit in desperate need of stability. Additionally, they used their first-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft to select Josh Simmons, a promising talent with the potential to anchor the line for years to come. These moves signal Kansas City’s determination to rebuild a once-proud unit, but questions linger as training camp looms.
The left side of the line remains a battleground. Kingsley Suamataia and Mike Caliendo are locked in a fierce competition for the left guard spot, while Moore and Simmons vie for the critical left tackle position—the linchpin in protecting Mahomes’ blind side. With Week 1 fast approaching, head coach Andy Reid and his staff face pivotal decisions that could define the season.
Pro Football Focus’s Zoltán Buday recently released his 2025 NFL offensive line power rankings, and the Chiefs’ line finds itself mired at a disappointing No. 20. Buday didn’t mince words: “While the Chiefs will hope they solved their issues at left tackle via offseason moves, they may regret trading guard Joe Thuney. Free-agent acquisition Jaylon Moore and rookie first-round pick Josh Simmons are the candidates to protect Patrick Mahomes’ left side after Kansas City’s disastrous left tackle situation last season.”
The silver lining? The interior duo of center Creed Humphrey and right guard Trey Smith remains a rock-solid foundation, preventing an even steeper fall in the rankings. Humphrey, a Pro Bowl-caliber talent, and Smith, a rising star, provide reliability in an otherwise uncertain unit. However, Buday warns that unless Moore or Simmons can deliver immediately, “we might see the worst Chiefs offensive line of recent years in 2025.”
The stakes couldn’t be higher. A fortified offensive line could unlock the Chiefs’ full potential, giving Mahomes the time he needs to carve up defenses and lead Kansas City on another deep playoff run. But if the new additions fail to gel, the Chiefs risk squandering their championship window. As training camp battles heat up, all eyes will be on the offensive line—can they rise to the challenge, or will they remain the weak link that holds back a dynasty?