Chiefs’ Patrick Mahomes Breaks Silence on Andy Reid’s Sudden O-Line Benching vs. Raiders

Kansas City Chiefs coach Andy Reid made the unexpected choice to bench starting left guard Kingsley Suamataia ahead of quarterback Patrick Mahomes for Sunday’s Week 4 game against the Las Vegas Raiders. While the team officially called the lineup change a “coaching decision,” Reid refused to give reporters a specific reason. 

After giving the starting spot to Mike Caliendo, the Chiefs managed to maintain their unbeaten run this season, improving to 4-0 by defeating the Raiders in a tight 30-27 finish. Mahomes addressed the lineup shift after the game

Reid grew visibly irritated and terse during his post-game press conference after Sunday’s win. Despite external media speculation that the move was disciplinary, he firmly kept the matter private. 

Andy Reid, Chiefs head coach, answers questions during a news conference at Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort and Spa at Gainey Ranch on Thursday, Feb. 9, 2023, in Scottsdale.
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He initially tried to shut down any questions right away in his opening statement, saying, “As far as the Kingsley thing goes, before you guys ask, that’s between Kingsley and I. We’ll figure it out, and down the road we’ll be better as a team for it, and Kingsley will be better for it.”

When reporter Sam McDowell of The Kansas City Star pushed him for clarification on whether the benching was for disciplinary or performance-related reasons, Reid replied, “I might have stuttered when I said that, but that’s what I meant. Kingsley and I will take care of that.”

Pat doesn’t seem bothered by the change. He supported both players and said, “Kingsley knows how important he is to the team. Like coach said, he’ll keep it between him and Kingsley. But at the end of the day, man, we have a guy like Mike Caliendo, who’s played in a lot of big games and had a lot of reps. He stepped right in and did a great job against a really good defensive line. So, I have a ton of trust in him. And then we’ll get Kingsley back in the fold here soon.”

Suamataia, 23, led all NFL left guards in pressure rate at 3.8% entering Week 4. Caliendo, as his replacement, protected well in the first half but allowed a sack on Mahomes in the third quarter. Mahomes took two sacks during the game, including a red-zone stop by Quay Walker that forced Kansas City to settle for a Harrison Butker field goal.

The Raiders led 13-10 at halftime before a close second half. Despite the pressure, Mahomes completed 15 of 30 passes for 225 yards, two touchdowns, and no interceptions

Kansas City eventually took the lead, but Las Vegas fought back to go ahead 19-17 late in the game. The Chiefs responded with two touchdowns from running back Kenneth Walker III to take a 30-19 lead. 

Raiders quarterback Kirk Cousins then brought Las Vegas closer, making it 30-27 with a late 20-yard touchdown pass to Brock Bowers. However, Cousins threw a game-ending interception at midfield on his final drive.