The Kansas City Chiefs might be entering the 2025 NFL season as defending AFC champions, but doubts continue to linger, especially in light of their disappointing performance in Super Bowl LIX. Despite having one of the most potent cores in football with Patrick Mahomes under center, Andy Reid on the sideline, and Chris Jones anchoring the defense, the offensive line is a major concern that looms over this year’s roster.
While Kansas City made several offseason adjustments to bolster its depth, the new look of the offensive front is raising eyebrows across the league. After being manhandled by the Philadelphia Eagles in the Super Bowl, many analysts believe the Chiefs’ championship ceiling in 2025 may ultimately depend on how well their rebuilt offensive line holds up.
CBS Sports recently highlighted this vulnerability, pointing directly at Kansas City’s revamped front five as a potential red flag.
“The Ravens just need their front to stay healthy,” Cody Benjamin wrote. “The Chiefs, meanwhile, may or may not have a title-caliber line at all. That was clear as day in Super Bowl LIX, when the Philadelphia Eagles tore them to pieces, rendering Patrick Mahomes a nonfactor.”
High stakes ride on rookies and backups to protect Mahomes
Among the most significant losses is veteran All-Pro guard Joe Thuney, whose absence leaves a leadership void in the trenches. Now, the Chiefs are looking to fill that gap with a combination of youth and inexperience. Jaylon Moore, a former San Francisco 49ers backup, and rookie Josh Simmons are reportedly the leading candidates for the critical job of protecting Mahomes’ blind side.
“Now All-Pro interior man Joe Thuney is gone, and two new faces occupy the present and/or future of left tackle, with rookie Josh Simmons and former San Francisco 49ers prospect Jaylon Moore tasked with protecting Mahomes’ blind side. That’s a fair amount of pressure for unproven blockers,” Benjamin continued.
Kingsley Suamataia, another young lineman originally drafted to play tackle, has been shifted inside to guard-a clear indication that Kansas City is still experimenting with combinations to find the right formula. But the stakes couldn’t be higher.
Mahomes, arguably the best quarterback in football, has already shown what happens when he doesn’t get time to operate. The Super Bowl rout was a glaring reminder: even elite talent can’t compensate for a crumbling pocket.
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