The Kansas City Chiefs will begin the 2025 season with more questions than answers surrounding their roster, with the offensive line at the center of the discussion.
With Jaylon Moore, Josh Simmons and Kingsley Suamataia all set to try their hand on the left side of the line, Patrick Mahomes’ protection is going to feel a whole lot different than it did last year … which is a good thing.
There has been a lot of talk throughout OTAs and minicamp about the Chiefs wanting to get their deep ball back in the offense, but that can only happen if Mahomes has time to throw.
So, for CBS Sports’ Jared Dubin, in naming the most important non-quarterback for the Chiefs, the publication has landed on Moore and Simmons.
“The Chiefs offensive line fell apart last year,” Dubinwrote. “They signed Moore to provide insurance at left tackle and had Simmons fall into their lap in the draft. They badly need one of them to play well enough that Patrick Mahomes isn’t constantly looking over his shoulder, and can finally tap into the explosive element of the offense the team has been missing over the last two years.”
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15).
Denny Medley-Imagn Images
Given how easily accessible Mahomes was to the Philadelphia Eagles’ defensive front in the Super Bowl, naturally, every other team will look at that blueprint and try to replicate it in 2025.
That is why either Moore or Simmons needs to solidify that left tackle spot, as does Suamataia, who is being shifted inside to left guard.
Training camp will be our first look at the new protection, and while we won’t be jumping to any conclusions, it will give a good indication of what we could expect in the regular season.
Many are doubting the Chiefs this season, with the offensive line issues being the reason why, and the only way to ease those fears is for the unit to play well with real bullets flying.
If the Chiefs are to avenge the Super Bowl loss, the offensive line is going to have to pull its weight. If it does, Kansas City will be in business; but if it can’t, then who knows what the 2025 season will look like for the defending AFC champs.
