At the unofficial quarter-mark of the NFL season, the Kansas City Chiefs have four games of data to assess their upgraded offensive line. Rookie Josh Simmons has started each contest at left tackle, where Kingsley Suamataia was unable to stick as a rookie. This year, the second-year pro has taken every snap at left guard.
Given the inexperience on the left side, upfront blocking was easily the team’s biggest preseason question. But so far, head coach Andy Reid is encouraged by his offensive line play — particularly guard Trey Smith. According to PFF, Smith has allowed no sacks through the season’s first four matchups.
“We’re getting better there as we go — as they play together more,” remarked Reid before Thursday’s practice. “Trey’s a beast. We know that he gets in there — and he’ll battle with anybody. [He’s a] tough guy.
“Like I said the other day: it doesn’t all have to be pretty. You [just] want to get the job done. They’re doing that right now. We’ve got some young guys that are getting better.”
For his part, Smith never doubted Suamataia’s talent.
“It’s awesome to see Kings go out there, doing his thing and [having] success,” Smith declared to reporters on Thursday. “He’s a great guy. He’s a great teammate — a great friend and brother.
“So it’s always good seeing someone that you care about going out there, balling, doing well and finding success on the field. You know the type of player he is — how talented he is — and he has a high ceiling and potential for what he can be.”
In Sunday’s 37-20 win over the Baltimore Ravens, Next Gen Stats didn’t charge Suamataia with even one pass-blocking pressure. Over the last two games, Suamataia has accumulated just one in 82 pass-blocking snaps.
Going into April’s NFL Draft, Simmons was perceived as a player whose name would have been called early in the first round. However, due to a major knee injury he suffered last October, Kansas City was able to acquire him with the 32nd overall pick. Smith is in awe of what he’s seen from the rookie.
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI – SEPTEMBER 28: Trey Smith #65 of the Kansas City Chiefs, Creed Humphrey #52 of the Kansas City Chiefs, Kingsley Suamataia #76 of the Kansas City Chiefs and Josh Simmons #71 of the Kansas City Chiefs prepare to line up for a second quarter play during the NFL 2025 game between Baltimore Ravens and Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium on September 28, 2025 in Kansas City, United States. (Photo by David Eulitt/Getty Images) Getty Images
“I really like Josh [and] what he’s done,” he said. “The talent level that he has? For me, I think the sky is the limit for him. It’s really fun just being able to watch him — and try to help him out in any facet of his game. [I want to] just be a resource for him, because that’s how much I believe in him — and obviously with Kingsley, as well, [with] how talented he is.”
As the unit sees more snaps together, Smith believes they will play even better.
“Continuity with the offensive line — if you look at the position as a whole — is important,” explained Smith. “Understanding the tendencies of the guys you play next to, how he’s going to take a certain block, how you set something up, how he’s going to respond? It is extremely important just to build that communication… that comfort level beside the guys you’re playing with.”
Smith’s cohesion with teammates has also been noticed by the league’s biggest star, who took advantage of Sunday’s improved protection to have one of his best outings in years.
“They’re doing a great job of pass-protecting,” quarterback Patrick Mahomes observed of his line on Thursday. “So, for me, just being able to trust and sit in that pocket [for] maybe that extra tenth of a second [gives] guys chances down the field. [It’s] something that I continue to get better at now — but I think I did a better job of that last week, for sure.”
The biggest remaining concern for the Kansas City offensive line isn’t about its players. Instead, it’s over veteran right tackle Jawaan Taylor, who has racked up 30 penalties in the last two seasons — and six in 2025.
In Week 5, the Chiefs will be on the road to face the Jacksonville Jaguars on “Monday Night Football.” Taylor — a native of nearby Cocoa, Florida — spent the first four seasons of his pro career with the Jaguars after attending the University of Florida. When Kansas City last played in Jacksonville in 2023, Taylor was actually benched for part of the game due to penalties.
But after Taylor played 60 minutes of clean football against the Ravens without drawing the ire of officials, Reid expects the veteran to keep his emotions in check as he tries to continue that pattern against the Jaguars.
“It’s home,” Reid noted, “and he did play there at the same time. So, I’m sure it’ll be emotional for him that way. Then, he knows the other part of that. He knows that he’s got to focus on not being too quick off the ball — but at the same time, being quick. You’ve got to be on time [and] spot on. He’s worked hard at that.”