Chiefs Training Camp: Kingsley Suamataia has leg up on Wanya Morris

Heading into Kansas City Chiefs training camp, the battle to watch was at the starting left tackle position. Last year’s starter, Donovan Smith, is no longer with the club. The two candidates, of course, are second-year player Wanya Morris and rookie Kingsley Suamataia.

“I like the competition there,” said head coach Andy Reid after practice on Sunday. “Really, there are two of them that are working in there and they’re doing a nice job. They kind of go back and forth and they’re challenging each other. They’re also good friends, so they’ve developed a friendship and it’s good healthy competition.”

In camp’s initial days, Morris and Suamataia rotated first-team reps at the position. But ever since Friday — when padded practices began — it has been Suamataia taking all of them. Morris has worked as the left tackle with the second team.

So is it suddenly Suamataia’s job to lose?

Perhaps. Like Morris, he has had good and bad reps — but it may be fair to say right now that Morris has looked a bit better in pass protection.

Still, it speaks volumes that despite being the rookie, Suamataia has received the first genuine look of 2024. The nod has come with its challenges.

“There are a few things — the physical part of it being out here every day and going full speed against the best players in the world,” said Reid. “You’ve got to be able to back-to-back-to-back these things, and he’s working his tail off doing that. And then the mental part. We’re throwing a ton at him, but I like the way he’s going about it. I like the way he’s fighting in there. He’s going to be OK as we roll here.”

That confidence does not stop with Reid, as his fellow linemen have noticed the upside. Right guard Trey Smith, a staple of the line since 2021, shared high praise.

“I love Kingsley, man,” Smith said at the podium Sunday. “He’s like a little brother. He’s an extremely talented player. We have great coaches. We have an extremely great front office. They saw a lot of ability in the player. Obviously, that’s why we drafted him. He’s going to be a great player.”

Friendly (enough) competition

Suamataia discussed the camp battle when he spoke to the media back in mid-July, near the beginning of camp.

“I’ve known Wanya (Morris) as a player — he’s a great guy,” said Suamataia. “He’s friends with a lot of guys that I know. We’re boys on and off the field, just trying to gain that job. We’re both just working hard, the best that we can, and whoever comes out on the top, we’re still boys, but it’s business out here but nothing but love for Wanya.”

Despite a very obvious one-on-one competition, the rookie added that he does not feel any pressure to play right away. He just loves the game.

“I love being out here with all the guys, get to know everybody and just grow that bond with everybody because we’re all dying and it’s hot out here,” he laughed. “You know, we’re all grinding and again, for the goal at the end, for three times in a row so, I don’t really feel any pressure on it. [I’m] just playing the game that I love.”

Kansas City will have a light workout on Monday before a day off on Tuesday. If Suamataia remains with the first team upon return on Wednesday, it will be a sure indication that he has a legitimate leg up in the competition.

Injury report

• Out of practice (due to injury): WR Hollywood Brown (illness since 7/28), RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire (illness since 7/28), CB Nazeeh Johnson (hamstring/knee since 7/28), WR Justin Watson (foot since 7/24)
• Non-football injury (NFI) list: S Justin Reid (out with quad since 7/21), DL BJ Thompson (non-football injury since 7/21)
• Physically unable to perform (PUP) list: DT Derrick Nnadi (out with triceps since 7/21), DL Charles Omenihu (out with ACL since 7/21), CB Jaylen Watson (out with labrum), LG Joe Thuney (out with pectoral since 7/21)

Post of the day

Our John Dixon compiled all of Sunday’s posts here. Here is the post of the day:

Quote of the day

Andy Reid on Chris Jones’ injury not being his excuse to take a veteran rest day: “I know he was messing with you guys (laugh). He does have a groin there. We all have groins, but he has a sore groin.”

What’s next?

The Chiefs return to the practice field Monday morning for a light 10-10-10-style practice. Monday’s workout begins at 9:15 a.m. Arrowhead Time. Defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo will address the media following the practice as offensive and defensive linemen sign autographs. Here’s the complete 2024 training camp schedule.