Andy Reid Announces Chiefs Starter Has Officially Been Benched

The left tackle position remains a major question for the Chiefs, as neither rookie Kingsley Suamataia nor second-year Wanya Morris have stood out in a significant way. It’s a confusing situation, and head coach Andy Reid announced the plan moving forward.

Speaking to the media on Monday, Reid told reporters that Morris would start in Week 4 against the Chargers. Suamataia has officially been benched, and it’s unclear when he’ll get that left tackle job back.

Patrick Mahomes has been under consistent pressure from his blindside, and Suamataia clearly needs more time to develop.

Andy Reid Announces Wanya Morris Will Start in Week 4

“I thought Wanya did some good things in there,” Reid said. “We’ll probably stick with that…Kingsley rotated in and played some tight end and was able to get some good reps.”

It’s bizarre that Suamataia would play tight end snaps, though he’s certainly athletic enough to handle the added responsibilities. He’s off to a rough start through just a handful of games, yet his athletic potential remains through the roof.

However, Morris already taking Suamataia’s starting job was not in the plans. The coaching staff almost certainly intended for Suamataia to be the starter the entire season, yet his problems against Trey Hendrickson in Week 2 seems to have changed things.

We’ll see how things go for the rest of the year, yet Brett Veach may have buyer’s remorse for the second-round pick. That doesn’t seem likely, and it’s probable that the organization just believes Suamataia needs more time before he’s ready to handle such an important role.

Either way, the left tackle position will be perhaps the most significant question facing the offense moving forward. Suamataia is the future in theory, though he’s got some work to do in order to get back in the lineup.