Kansas City Chiefs begin to fill positions on offensive line; Joe Thuney returns from PUP list

By Calvin Silvers

The Kansas City Chiefs had an off day from training camp on Tuesday, as they began to prepare for a three-day stretch in the Midwest heat. A day of rest is good for those injured or nearing 100%, and that rings true for this Chiefs’ offensive line, which got All-Pro guard Joe Thuney back after he entered camp on the physically unable-to-perform list.

Kansas City had to take down the San Francisco 49ers in February without Thuney. While winning, the Chiefs would like to go back to the Super Bowl, this time with Thuney on the line.

“He’s done it all in the league,” Humphrey said. He’s played in all the big games and everything and, you know, he sees everything so well and that’s what makes him, you know, one of, if not, the best guard in the league.”

While there were some fingers pointed at the Chiefs’ offense last season, it was hard to put too much blame on the offensive line, which was a driving force in the playoff run.

“We’re still growing as one unit right now. You know, we’ve added new pieces and we’re getting closer each day, center Creed Humphrey said. “You know, as long as the guys continue to keep competing, battling, you know, we’re going to like the results for this year.”

However, the game of football is a physical one, and most teams see at least one offensive lineman suffer an injury in the season. Injury or not, this Chiefs line may need to rely on second-round rookie Kingsley Suamataia.

The second-rounder of the 2024 NFL Draft is already impressing head coach Andy Reid in training camp, as Reid elevated Suamataia over Wanya Morris on the depth chart, and seems to be responding very well.

“He’s doing a good job and he’s picking up on stuff, so for him, it’s just continuing to get these reps, you know, going against really good defensive ends right now,” Humphrey said. “It’s going to be really helpful for him, so it’s been good and, you know, he’s getting better every day.”

This could be the final go-around for some of these linemen however, as two-time pro bowler and Super Bowl champion Humphrey enters his contract season. When looking at the market, Erik McCoy of the New Orleans Saints leads all centers in contract value at $60 million.

“For me, I’m focused on training camp,” Humphrey said. “You know, I’m focused on football right now, you know, focused on getting this team to where it needs to be and focused on getting the line where it needs to be and getting myself where I need to be.”