Andy Reid made a late shakeup to the Chiefs’ offensive line just before kickoff against the Broncos on Sunday, with Kansas City turning to Mike Caliendo over Kingsley Suamataia for the Week 8 AFC West matchup.
The move came right as the Chiefs were set to face Denver in a game that could help sort out the early shape of the division at the midway point of the regular season. According to ESPN’s Nate Taylor, Reid chose Caliendo for the start, and the reason for the switch wasn’t immediately clear.
“The Chiefs say Mike Caliendo will start instead of Kingsley Suamataia, per coach Andy Reid's decision. We'll ask after the game to see why the change was made for this game.”
Suamataia had started five of Kansas City’s first seven games this season, while Sunday marked just the second start of the year for Caliendo. Even so, Caliendo has been active in every game for the Chiefs this season.
Suamataia is in his third year in the league after arriving in Kansas City as a second-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. He spent his rookie year as a backup, then started every game for the team in the 2025-26 campaign. He did not start against Denver, though there was no indication he was dealing with an injury.
Caliendo, meanwhile, has spent his entire four-year career as a backup with Kansas City, though he has filled in for spot starts along the way. Sunday’s game against the Broncos was the ninth start of his career.
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