The Chiefs’ offensive line outlook for 2024
The Chiefs’ offensive line outlook for 2024
In 2023, the Kansas City Chiefs’ offensive line played a critical role in winning the team’s second straight championship.
Let’s consider what we should expect in 2024.
Manning the middle
Rich with talent, Kansas City’s offensive line boasted the league’s best interior trio in 2023. Center Creed Humphrey, right guard Trey Smith and first-team All-Pro left guard Joe Thuney set the wall for quarterback Patrick Mahomes and opened up running lanes for running back Isiah Pacheco. In 2024, all three will return — and their performances will again be a critical factor in the line’s success.
Since both will be playing for rich new contracts, Humphrey and Smith will likely play their best football. A Pro Bowl selection in 2023, Humphrey will probably rank among the league’s top centers. While he is one of the NFL’s most intimidating players, Smith has yet to earn an All-Pro or Pro Bowl nod — but with a big season, he has an excellent chance to be listed among the league’s best at his position. While the pectoral injury that prevented Thuney from finishing the postseason has kept him out through OTAs, the perennial All-Pro is expected to be ready before the season begins.
But another key interior contributor will not return. Reserve interior lineman Nick Allegretti signed with the Washington Commanders in free agency. Through his five-year Kansas City career, Allegretti played in some big spots — starting two Super Bowls — and delivered.
Allegretti could play all three interior positions, so the Chiefs need to replace that versatility. Their top candidates are rookie Hunter Nourzad and third-year player Mike Caliendo. In 2023, Nourzad was Penn State’s starting center — but can also play at both left and right guard. While Caliendo has the same ability, his two years of experience in Kansas City’s system could give him an advantage.
Two other rookies — C.J. Hanson and McKade Mettaeur — will likely make the practice squad.
Figuring out the tackles
There shouldn’t be a question at right tackle. Even with some sporadic play in 2023, Jawaan Taylor has three years left on his deal — and with a 2024 cap hit over $24 million, he will be the starter on the right.
But the left tackle spot is up for grabs. We expect an interesting camp battle between second-year player Wanya Morris and second-round rookie Kingsley Suamataia at one of the game’s most critical positions. The winner is expected to bring long-term stability to the position for the first time since Eric Fisher was on the blind side — and as Mahomes’ primary protector, he would also earn quite a bit of notoriety.
Morris started four games in 2023, showing the highs and lows we expect from a rookie protecting the quarterback’s blind side.
At BYU, Suamataia was a stand-out in pass protection; the Chiefs acquired him with the 63rd pick of the NFL Draft. It is not often that a rookie left tackle taken after the first round becomes a starter — but with the way the Chiefs have spoken about Suamataia, they seem very high on his potential.
Whichever player does not win the starting spot will likely end up as the swing tackle — and as we have learned in recent years, this is also an important position.
Lucas Niang and Chukwuebuka (Jason) Godrick will be vying to make the roster as reserve tackles; Niang could even be a reserve player on the interior. Offensive line coach Andy Heck has mentioned rookie Ethan Driskell a few times this offseason. It appears he is a candidate to make the practice squad.
Projections
Historically, the Chiefs have carried 9-10 offensive linemen on their roster.
- Starters: Suamataia, Thuney, Humphrey, Smith and Taylor
- Backups: Morris, Caliendo, Nourzad, Niang and Godrick
- Practice squad: Hanson, Driskell and Mettauer
Since the disaster of Super Bowl LV, the Chiefs have left no stone unturned in building and developing their offensive line. In 2024, it could be one of the league’s top units — and if the Chiefs are going to three-peat, it will need to be.