Chiefs 'Regression Talk' Fueled By Worst Offseason Loss

This offseason, the Kansas City Chiefs have undergone some changes, most of which have occurred on the offensive side of the ball.

The biggest change was seeing star left guard Joe Thuney be traded to the Chicago Bears as a salary cap casualty, which is just part of the game. It is here that the talk of the Chiefs regressing began.

Jaylon Moore was signed in free agency, while Josh Simmons was drafted in the first round to be the top two tackles for Patrick Mahomes. However, the ripple effect of Thuney moving on has left tackle Kingsley Suamataia shifting inside, and now the depth isn't what it used to be, with Mike Caliendo and Wanya Morris the next players up on the depth chart.

For CBS Sports, Thuney looms as the Chiefs' biggest offseason loss.

"Thuney remains one of the best offensive linemen in the league, but the Chiefs decided to move on so they could clear out the room to keep the younger Trey Smith on the opposite side of the line," CBS Sports writes. 

"Kansas City will move Kingsley Suamataia inside to guard or else go back to Mike Caliendo at that spot, but either way it will mean an entirely new left side of the offensive line with Jaylon Moore or Josh Simmons at left tackle, and that's a big deal in front of the best quarterback in football."

There's a lot of moving parts, and they are ones who many aren't sold on. ... with the word "regression'' popping up.

Morris, Caliendo, and Suamataia all failed to take their chances last season, which has led to some trepidation as to how well this new offensive line can protect Mahomes.

However, even with Thuney, the Chiefs' offensive line allowed 47 sacks (including playoffs), the most in Mahomes' career.

Now, with two new faces at left tackle, an untried and untested left guard, and not much confidence on those behind him, the Chiefs' success in 2025 could be determined by how things shake out.

And they won't have the ever-reliable Thuney to fix their problems this time around.