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Chiefs Offensive Captain Trey Smith Praises Two Rookies for Making the Offensive Line More Complete: “They Are the Future of the Chiefs”

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KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Ahead of the early-week matchup, Trey Smith spoke about stepping into a leadership role on the Kansas City Chiefs’ offensive line—both a responsibility and a privilege. Alongside center Creed Humphrey and tackle Jawaan Taylor, Smith said he’s actively pulling the younger players up to the exacting standard set by offensive line coach Andy Heck and assistant Corey Matthaei.

Smith reserved special praise for the pair of rookies on the edge: Josh Simmons and Kingsley Suamataia. He said they bring speed, power, and discipline with their hand and foot technique, helping make protection for Patrick Mahomes more cohesive in both pass pro and the run game.

In pass protection, Smith emphasized that Simmons stands out for his poise against blitz packages and his ability to hold up one-on-one on the edge; Suamataia, meanwhile, has shown major strides in footwork and first contact at the point of attack. “The common thread,” Smith said, “is they listen, they correct mistakes the same day, and they turn practice reps into real progress.”

“They are the future of the Chiefs — Josh and Kingsley bring the energy, discipline, and standard an offensive line needs to dominate, and my job is just to keep them on track so we get better every week.”

With a dense schedule and increasingly complex defensive looks across the league, the Chiefs are banking on rapid growth from the two rookies to stabilize the offensive line in key moments: third-and-long, two-minute drills, and slide/half-slide protections against multi-source pressure. Smith concluded: “When the young guys start to ‘feel the rhythm,’ the whole unit pops at once.”

Chiefs Locker Room Erupts, Chris Jones Under Investigation for NFL Sports Betting in Jaguars Game - HC Andy Reid Hands Down Harsh Punishment
Kansas City, MO – The Kansas City Chiefs' locker room is in turmoil following an NFL investigation into defensive star Chris Jones over allegations related to sports betting. Jones, a multiple-time Pro Bowler, has been placed on non-disciplinary paid leave through Week 10, while head coach (HC) Andy Reid has imposed internal penalties after a suspicious performance in the loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars. SOURCE: https://x.com/TheNFLDrop/status/1975574483990909165 The incident stems from a decisive play at the end of the game, where Jones – the Chiefs' top defensive tackle – appeared to "do absolutely nothing" to stop quarterback Trevor Lawrence from scoring the game-winning touchdown. According to sources, this lack of effort prompted the NFL to launch an investigation, suspecting possible involvement in betting, a serious violation of league rules. "He just stood there watching Lawrence run into the end zone like he was watching a movie," an anonymous teammate shared, reflecting the outrage in the locker room. Jones, 31, has been a cornerstone for the Chiefs since being selected in the second round of the 2016 NFL Draft from Mississippi State. With an impressive career including 3 Pro Bowls, 2 Super Bowl wins, and 75.5 sacks, he signed a 5-year, $158 million contract in 2023. However, this season, Jones has only recorded 2 sacks through 5 games, and his performance against the Jaguars has drawn sharp criticism from Chiefs fans on social media. HC Andy Reid reacted strongly, penalizing Jones by sidelining him from practices and requiring an internal explanation. "We do not tolerate any behavior that harms the team or undermines the integrity of the game," Reid stated post-game. "Our organization prides itself on discipline and trust, and while we await the results of the NFL's investigation, we'll handle this internally to ensure it doesn't distract from our goals. Chris is a talented player, but no one is above the standards we set here in Kansas City." Meanwhile, the Chiefs' locker room is described as "explosive" with arguments, as some players like Patrick Mahomes express disappointment but still offer support for their teammate. The NFL investigation is expected to continue, and if violations are proven, Jones could face a long-term suspension. The Chiefs, currently at 2-3, must quickly stabilize their roster ahead of their next matchup. Fans are watching closely, with many calling this potentially the "biggest scandal of the season."