Chiefs Roster: Wanya Morris, Kingsley Suamataia compete at left tackle

With OTAs and mandatory minicamp now behind them, the Kansas City Chiefs’ offense has only one significant position battle left to be resolved before the 2024 season: the team’s starting left tackle.

The top competitors for the spot are 2023’s third-round selection Wanya Morris from Oklahoma and this year’s second-round pick: Kingsley Suamataia of BYU.

Head coach Andy Reid likes what he has seen from the two players — but is still keeping his cards safely out of view.

“They’ve both done a nice job,” Reid told Arrowhead Pride’s Pete Sweeney on Thursday. “I like the production that we’ve seen from them; both are young guys. We’ll see how it finishes up through camp. It’s a good competition.”

Morris started four games down the stretch of 2023’s regular season, taking 339 snaps at left tackle. Suamataia — then 20 years old — started 11 games at left tackle for BYU in 2023. It was the first time he had held down the left side of the line.

Both have traits the Chiefs want for the player protecting quarterback Patrick Mahomes’ blind side.

Morris has a strong, lengthy physique that can overwhelm defenders. He also possesses 35 1/8-inch arms and a powerful lower half. Suamataia is an incredible athlete among offensive tackles — a rare combination of easy movement and raw power.

So the team will need to decide which traits it values most. That evaluation is already underway. But Reid is making it clear: he will not sacrifice the unit’s success for long-term development.

“We’re going to end up playing the five best guys — and go from there,” Reid assured reporters on Thursday. “We’ll see how it all plays out.”

Based on what we have previously seen from the Kansas City coaching staff, it’s likely that Morris’ experience will put him on the first team as camp gets underway. But the Chiefs have also been willing to let impactful rookies make their mark; Suamataia could play his way into the starting position.

So stay tuned. This will be the most important position battle we’ll follow as training camp begins at Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph.