Logo

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

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.”

Kansas City souvenirs

 

 
 

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.”

Comments (0)

Loading comments...

Chiefs Safety Faces Family Tragedy During Bye Week as Military-Trained Skydiving Instructor Dies in Nashville
Kansas City Chiefs safety Jaden Hicks is mourning a heartbreaking loss during the team’s bye week, following the tragic death of his cousin Justin Fuller, a respected, military-trained skydiving instructor known in the community as “Spidey.” Fuller, 35, was killed in a tandem skydiving accident near Nashville over the weekend after becoming separated from his parachute harness mid-air. His student survived after landing in a tree with the parachute deployed and was rescued by firefighters.Authorities confirmed Fuller’s body was recovered from a wooded area off Ashland City Highway. The Nashville Fire Department praised its rescue teams for carrying out “one of the most complex high-angle operations in years.” Fuller had completed over 5,000 jumps, trained U.S. military personnel, and was admired for his precision and leadership in the skydiving community. Friends remembered him as “fearless, disciplined, and devoted to helping others fly.”Hicks, whose mother is the younger sister of Fuller’s mother, grew up closely connected to his cousin — often crediting him for shaping his mindset on focus and accountability both on and off the field. A family member told local media, “Justin taught Jaden that real courage isn’t about taking risks — it’s about discipline, service, and heart. That’s how he lived, and that’s what Jaden carries into every game.” Hicks, a product of Washington State, has quietly carved out a key role in Kansas City's defense this season - playing approximately 42% of defensive snaps, recording 10 solo tackles through 5 weeks, earning a PFF grade of 57.9, and adding one tackle on special teams. có đúng thông tin không The Chiefs, currently on their bye week, have granted Hicks time to be with his family. Teammates and coaches are said to be offering full support during this difficult period. The FAA has opened an investigation into the accident, as tributes to Fuller — under his nickname “Spidey” — continue to flood social media from military peers, skydivers, and fans nationwide.“He taught others to fly — now he’s flying higher than all of us,” one tribute read.