Kansas City Chiefs rookie offensive tackle Kingsley Suamataia, a second-round pick in April’s draft, is competing with 2023 third-round pick Wanya Morris for the starting left tackle job. And according to quarterback Patrick Mahomes, Suamataia has already taken big strides in his development, which could help him win the starting role this summer.
“He got better and better, and he wasn’t scared of the moment,” Mahomes said of Suamataia during his press conference on July 17. “I think that’s a big thing. I remember me coming in as a rookie, I didn’t even get thrown in with the ones like that.
He’s coming straight in from Combine training, getting thrown in with the ones, and he’s competing. “He’s not making the same mistakes twice, and I think that’s huge.
The pads will come on, that’s another step in the journey for him, but I think he’s excited for it, honestly. We’ll see where we’ll at, we’ll keep building and try to see, like I said, who comes out on top at the end of the competition.”
Kingsley Suamataia on Competition: ‘Nothing But Love for Wanya’
Though the two players are just about to enter the heat of their competition for the starting left tackle job, Suamataia is embracing the opportunity to compete for a starting role and doing so against someone he considers a friend.
“It’s been great. I’ve known Wanya (Morris). As a player, he’s a great guy,” Suamataia said of Morris during his press conference on July 17. “He’s friends with a lot of guys that I know. We’re boys on and off the field, just trying to get that job, but we’re both just working hard as best we can. Whoever comes out on top, (we) still boys, but it’s business out here, but nothing but love for Wanya.”