Latest news with #MikeCaliendo
Yahoo
03-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Chiefs OL coach Andy Heck on Kingsley Suamataia's position change: 'Great versatility'
During his press conference on Wednesday, Kansas City Chiefs offensive line coach Andy Heck explained the mindset behind transitioning Kingsley Suamataia to the offensive guard position. "I mean, Kingsley (Suamataia) is a guy that has great versatility. I think he can do phenomenal in their guard," said Heck, "We're still getting him a little bit of tackle work. I think he can play left tackle, right tackle in this league, either guard; he's another guy that's super low, very strong, and gives us a good, powerful presence inside, and I think he's having fun with it." Advertisement Suamataia impressed last year during training camp, leading to him beginning his rookie season as the starting left tackle. He was benched during Week 2 after ongoing struggles against pass rushers, serving as a backup for most of the season, as Heck explains the advantage of more experience. "I think what makes him well-suited to play guard is his size and strength. He really likes some guys who can move people in there at that spot," said Heck. "I think he can do that or firm up the pocket until he doesn't want him to firm that pocket at three yards. So his strength is that he's just growing as a football player, whether at guard or tackle, simply by being around that, gaining experience, knowing our language that much better, knowing defense that much better, just experience." Mike Caliendo took over as left guard after Joe Thuney was moved to left tackle last year. He will likely be involved in the position battle with Suamataia before the start of the season. This article originally appeared on Chiefs Wire: Chiefs OL coach Andy Heck on Kingsley Suamataia's position change
USA Today
24-06-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Kansas City Chiefs OL shouldn't be counted out for a potential starting role
The results of Super Bowl LIX are fresh in the minds of all the Kansas City Chiefs players involved, especially on the offensive line. Mike Caliendo stepped into a starter's role following the position change of Joe Thuney late last season and could see a redemption season in 2025 after a promising offseason. "He's (Mike Caliendo) had a great one. (He's) a great kid – very, very smart. (He's) a hard worker, (and) he's gotten better every year," said head coach Andy Reid during his minicamp press conference, "For him to step in and do what he did this past year, he knows he can play at this level. We saw how (Commanders G Nick) Allegretti did it, and I'd tell you that he's doing the same. He looks like the building blocks are kind of the same there." Caliendo has been complimentary of projected starter Kingsley Suamataia throughout OTAs, as he will be competing for playing time in training camp alongside many other position groups. "We talk to them about strengths and weaknesses and where we would like – these are the things we really need to work on, so we can add that into your game and into the repertoire of your actual game day and how you play." said Reid "You have to practice those things and do it fast and make it to where it's just second nature for you. So yeah, we talk about those types of things. Then, obviously, I think everybody right now is sitting there going, 'Yeah, you want to win the Super Bowl. That's what you want to do.' We're right there; that's our primary goal, to put ourselves in the best position we can to win." Caliendo was an undrafted free agent signed out of Western Michigan by the Chiefs in 2022. The comparison to former Chiefs offensive lineman and current Commanders starter Nick Allegretti is a hopeful one to build on as the team heads into training camp.
Yahoo
26-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Chiefs' Kingsley Suamataia to compete for starting left guard spot with Mike Caliendo
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Who will fill the hole at left guard for the Kansas City Chiefs after Joe Thuney's departure this offseason? Well, head coach Andy Reid spoke to the media on Monday and said Kingsley Suamataia and Mike Caliendo will compete for the left guard spot in training camp. Advertisement Kansas City Chiefs: Read more stories from FOX4 Suamataia spent most of his rookie season at left tackle, where he struggled. The switch to guard could be much more beneficial. He started at left guard in the Chiefs last regular season game last season against the Denver Broncos, in which he fared well. 'When we brought [Sumataia] in, we knew he had that flexibility, we just felt that way athletically. He is a very good athlete, he can run and he can pass block, do all the things that he needs to do,' Reid said. 'He'll start [at guard] with Mike Caliendo. They'll compete for that spot.' Thuney got a majority of snaps at left guard last season before moving to left tackle to close out the season. He was traded to the Chicago Bears in March. Advertisement The Chiefs signed former San Francisco 49ers left tackle Jaylon Moore to hopefully give them a long-term answer at the position. Former KU runner wins Boston Marathon; sets new course record They are looking to revamp an offensive line that struggled immensely against Philadelphia in Super Bowl LIV. The starting offensive line could be Trey Smith, Creed Humphrey, Moore, Jawaan Taylor and Suamataia or Caliendo going into next season. They could also look for someone to challenge for a starting spot in the draft. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports.
Yahoo
25-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Kansas City Chiefs officially re-sign OL Mike Caliendo
The offensive line will retain a starter from last season who stepped up after the lineup was shuffled. The Kansas City Chiefs are exercising their options to keep a valued restricted free agent. According to multiple reports, the Chiefs have officially re-signed exclusive rights free agent offensive guard Mike Caliendo after the right of first refusal tender. The veteran offensive lineman will earn a $3.263 million salary for the 2025 NFL season. #Chiefs signed exclusive rights free agent Mike Caliendo — Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) March 24, 2025 Caliendo started at left guard over the last month of the regular season and postseason after the coaching staff moved All-Pro Joe Thuney to left tackle. Since going undrafted in 2022, he has spent his NFL career primarily on the Chiefs practice squad. He was a standout at Western Michigan, named first-team all-conference, and a finalist for the William V. Campbell Trophy. Kansas City added Jaylon Moore in free agency to likely be the consistent starter at left tackle as the unit seeks redemption after a disappointing performance in Super Bowl LIX. This article originally appeared on Chiefs Wire: Kansas City Chiefs officially re-sign OL Mike Caliendo
USA Today
25-03-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Kansas City Chiefs officially re-sign OL Mike Caliendo
Kansas City Chiefs officially re-sign OL Mike Caliendo The offensive line will retain a starter from last season who stepped up after the lineup was shuffled. The Kansas City Chiefs are exercising their options to keep a valued restricted free agent. According to multiple reports, the Chiefs have officially re-signed exclusive rights free agent offensive guard Mike Caliendo after the right of first refusal tender. The veteran offensive lineman will earn a $3.263 million salary for the 2025 NFL season. Caliendo started at left guard over the last month of the regular season and postseason after the coaching staff moved All-Pro Joe Thuney to left tackle. Since going undrafted in 2022, he has spent his NFL career primarily on the Chiefs practice squad. He was a standout at Western Michigan, named first-team all-conference, and a finalist for the William V. Campbell Trophy. Kansas City added Jaylon Moore in free agency to likely be the consistent starter at left tackle as the unit seeks redemption after a disappointing performance in Super Bowl LIX.
