Chiefs encouraged by rookie tackle, even through some struggles: ‘He’s gonna be OK’

Two things appear to be true relating to rookie Kingsley Suamataia following the Kansas City Chiefs’ first full week of training camp.

One, the team is maintaining faith in him while giving him first-string reps at left tackle ahead of teammate Wanya Morris.

And two, the Chiefs are doing that despite some rough stretches — including a few that popped during Sunday’s two-hour heat-cooker of a practice at Missouri Western.

Suamataia, the Chiefs’ second-round pick in April, definitely wasn’t perfect on this day. He was beaten around the edge by defensive lineman Felix Anudike-Uzomah during one 11-on-11 drill that forced quarterback Patrick Mahomes to escape the pocket. A short time before that, coach Andy Reid talked to Suamataia after a play while pushing his palms downward, perhaps in an attempt to settle him down.

Anudike-Uzomah also performed well against Suamataia later in one-on-one drills, which included a spin move to the inside that freed himself from the attempted block.

Reid, when asked about the challenges that Suamataia is facing in training camp, admitted the rookie has a lot to overcome.

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

That final vote of confidence comes as the Chiefs continue to — officially, at least — describe the left tackle position as an open competition between Suamataia and Morris.

Reid said Sunday that he likes the battle there, as both “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.”

The Chiefs’ actions indicate they believe Suamataia can pull through and eventually be ready to start. He took over as the team’s No. 1 left tackle on Friday and has remained in that spot over the last three days.

KC hasn’t hesitated in the past to have rookies play on the offensive line immediately. Three years ago, right guard Trey Smith and center Creed Humphrey began training camp with the 1s as first-year players before eventually securing their starting spots.

Smith recalled Sunday how difficult that first training camp was for him.

“I think the sheer amount of information that they throw at you ... it’s tough, man,” Smith said. “And then you’ve got to factor in St. Joe’s is hot, our practices are long, and it’s a tough thing.”

Last week, Suamataia said he was leaning heavily on Smith in camp, calling him an “amazing role model.”

Smith, meanwhile, said the 21-year-old Suamataia has become like a little brother to him.

It’s why Smith hasn’t hesitated to offer advice when he can. One of those nuggets? “Just take it rep by rep, big dog,” Smith relayed to reporters with a smile.

In all seriousness, though ... Smith understands first-hand that Suamataia’s development might take some time.

“There’s a lot of information, a lot of small details to take in,” Smith said. “Our place can be extremely nuanced at times.”

Smith connected Suamataia’s situation to a quote that Reid often says: “You can’t eat a whole cheeseburger in one bite.”

“You’ve got to take it one small bite at a time,” Smith said. “So he’s just got to take his time with it. He’ll be there.”