The Kansas City Chiefs are at a crossroads, and their bye week couldn't have come at a better time. With half the season gone, it's time to reflect on the team's performance and hand out some well-deserved accolades. But who deserves the title of Most Improved Player?
Arrowhead Pride's contributors have spoken, and the votes are in for a player who has truly transformed his game. The spotlight shines on left guard Kingsley Suamataia, with 9 out of 10 votes in his favor.
Suamataia's journey is a fascinating one. Drafted 63rd overall in 2024, he was immediately tasked with protecting the team's most valuable asset: quarterback Patrick Mahomes. But his rookie season at left tackle was short-lived, lasting only two starts. Performance issues led to his replacement by Wanya Morris. Later that season, he returned to the left tackle position against the Denver Broncos, but the result was three quarterback hits and a sack.
Here's where the story takes a twist. Rumors of Suamataia's move to guard started early in the 2025 offseason, and they became reality when the Chiefs traded All-Pro left guard Joe Thuney to the Chicago Bears. Suamataia stepped up to the challenge, becoming the Chiefs' leader in offensive snaps through nine games, and missing only two snaps all season.
While he's allowed the most pressures on the team, Suamataia has shown impressive growth. Only 6 of the 17 pressures have led to hits on Mahomes, and just one resulted in a sack. His discipline has also improved, with only one penalty called against him.
Suamataia's efforts have contributed to the Chiefs' offensive line ranking 4th in Pass Block Win Rate, an ESPN metric. This young player has turned his career around in just one offseason, seamlessly filling the shoes of the highly-regarded Thuney.
But is this enough to secure the Most Improved Player award? Arrowhead Pride's contributors seem to think so. What do you think? Is Suamataia's improvement truly award-worthy, or is there another player on the Chiefs roster who deserves this recognition?
