Who will win the Chiefs’ starting offensive line battle?

Mike Maynard

Who will win the Chiefs’ starting offensive line battle? image

One week into training camp, it seems the Kansas City Chiefs have a battle brewing on the offensive line. There are three players currently competing for what looks like just two open spots.

Right tackle and left guard seem to be the only two positions still up in the air, with Jawaan Taylor, Jaylon Moore and Kingsley Suamataia all in the mix.

Taylor has only seen time at right tackle so far during his limited time on the field during training camp. The 27-year-old has started every game of his 99-game career since his rookie year in 2019, but has some competition this year, unlike previous seasons.

After missing the first four practices with a knee injury, Taylor is back in the mix, rotating in at right tackle with Moore.

Moore has been seen at both open spots, splitting time to see where he sticks. The former San Francisco 49er came over in free agency after starting five games in 2024. With a $30 million contract, Moore is bound to see the field at some point, whether as a full-time starter, or a rotational piece.

Suamataia has been rotating in with Moore getting starting left guard reps, after starting two games in 2024. The pair have both seen most of their playing time at tackle in previous years, hoping to showcase their versatility enough to earn a full-time starting job.

The other three of the five starting jobs seemed to be solidified by now. Creed Humphrey has the starting center job locked down after a first-team All-Pro season in 2024, Trey Smith earned himself a $94 million extension and should start at right guard and Josh Simmons has seemingly earned the starting job covering Patrick Mahomes’ blindside at left tackle.

With three qualified players working to earn two positions, there is a very real possibility for a rotation throughout the season. The organization would most likely love to see two of the three stand out to create a consistent unit. Regardless of how it plays out, the battle should lead to two solid protectors earning their way on the field.

Mike Maynard

Mike Maynard is a freelance writer with The Sporting News. He has experience reporting on college football news with FanSided. Mike previously covered UMass football, baseball, basketball and hockey for the Massachusetts Daily Collegian during his undergrad and has additional bylines with the Boston Globe, MassLive and Cape Cod Baseball League.