It’s no secret that Kansas City Chiefs second-round draft pick Kingsley Suamataia is competing with second-year offensive tackle Wanya Morris for the starting left tackle position vacated by Donovan Smith.
Internal competition always serves to make the team better, but as NFL players, you always have to go about it the right way. It's not the same throes of competition that you're flung into against NFL opponents on Sunday. You have to maintain a good connection with your opponent because they're also your teammate.
What has the dynamic been like between Suamataia and Morris as they both compete to earn a starting job? The rookie had a chance to weigh in on Wednesday.
“It’s been great," Suamataia said. "I’ve known Wanya (Morris) as a player. He’s a great guy. He’s friends with a lot of guys that I know. We’re boys on and off the field, just trying to gain that job. We’re both just working hard, the best that we can, and whoever comes out on the top – we’re still boys, but it’s business out here but nothing but love for Wanya.”
As far as whether Suamataia feels any pressure to start right away as a top-100 draft pick, he's not feeling the heat quite yet. Instead, he's relishing the opportunity to get out there at training camp in St. Joe with his teammates while learning, growing, and playing the game that he loves.
“I don’t think so," Suamataia said. "I’m out here, I love the game, I love playing so, just with the boys. Like I said, I love being out here with all the guys, get to know everybody and just grow that bond with everybody because we’re all dying and it’s hot out here (laughter). You know, we’re all grinding and again, for the goal at the end, for three times in a row so, I don’t really feel any pressure on it. (I’m) just playing the game that I love.”
Patrick Mahomes weighs in on Suamataia's progress
Suamataia vowed to earn Patrick Mahomes' trust right away after joining the team. Well, the rookie has certainly made an impression on the star quarterback in Kansas City in short order.
“Yeah, he got better and better and he wasn’t scared of the moment." Mahomes said of the rookie. "I think that’s a big thing. I remember me coming in as a rookie and I didn’t even get thrown in with the one’s like that. I mean, he’s coming straight in from combine training getting thrown in with the one’s and he’s competing. He’s not making the same mistakes twice. That’s huge."
Mahomes knows that it's still early and the pads have yet to come on. That'll be the next checkpoint for the rookie as he vies to earn the starting left tackle job.
"The pads will come on (at training camp), it’s another step in the journey for him," Mahomes said. "I think he’s excited for it, honestly. We’ll see where we’re at and we’ll keep building and try to see – like I said – who comes out on top at the end of the competition.”
That competition will help the cream of the crop rise to the top.
"Whoever wins the job, wins the job, but I’m excited for the competition of it," Mahomes said. "That’s what you want in any team, in any position is you want competition. I’m excited for those guys to see who can kind of rise to the occasion.”
Related: Chiefs veteran offensive lineman emerging as a mentor for rookie LT Kingsley Suamataia
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