Chiefs guard Trey Smith was a guest on the latest episode of the New Heights podcast and, naturally, the discussion turned to KC’s offensive line.
That position group will look different in 2025 as guard Joe Thuney was traded to the Bears and the Chiefs selected left tackle Josh Simmons in the first round of the NFL Draft.
With Thuney’s departure, his replacement likely will be either Mike Caliendo or Kingsley Suamataia.
“I know both of them will work their tails off,” Smith said. “The best man is going to win. I have to earn my job against them as well. But I’m excited about both of them. I love Mike, man. Mike’s a great dude. Mike’s extremely intelligent as well, and a great ball player.
“And then Kingsley is just a young cat. He’s still got those young legs, a healthy body, man. His ability is incredible and some of the things that he can do on the field as well. So like I said, the moving pieces (on the) offensive line are great. We’re gonna be in a good position.”
The discussion then turned to Simmons, who suffered a patellar tendon injury last season at Ohio State.
Jason Kelce, the podcast co-host and former Eagles center, has been wowed by Simmons’ potential.
“To me, watching the tape in college, it was absurd,” he said. “Like the athletic ability and size. Trav knows because I’ve been watching this.”
Travis Kelce then talked about what he saw from Simmons at the Chiefs’ Organized Team Activities. Chiefs coach Andy Reid has been impressed with Simmons, and the same is true of Kelce.
At OTAs, Simmons was on the Chiefs’ scout team, and Kelce lined up against him.
“He was playing defensive end as just like a scout team defensive end,” Kelce said, “and he was just playing his gap, but he was being a pro. He was being locked in and being a pro. And I felt that man’s hands grab me, and I was like, ‘All right, I gotta come with it, even when he’s just giving the look. I gotta make sure I’ve got my feet planted, man.’” Jason Kelce compared Simmons to 49ers great Trent Williams, who has made the Pro Bowl 11 times and was named an All-Pro three times.
