The focal point of this offseason was to ensure that the Kansas City Chiefs fixed what ailed them in Super Bowl 59, which was the offensive line. Despite trading Joe Thuney to Chicago, there’s optimism that the Chiefs o-line is much better than it was a season ago.

Thuney’s old position of left guard was certainly a position to watch in Chiefs training camp and preseason this summer. It appeared that former second-round pick Kingsley Suamataia would be competing for the starting job with Mike Caliendo, who started six games at left guard a season ago when Thuney moved to left tackle.

Well, even with that being what everyone assumed would happen, Caliendo didn’t take many (if any) reps with the first-team offense. This would indicate that Suamataia is going to be the starting left guard for the Chiefs in 2025.

Why Mike Caliendo is the biggest loser for the Chiefs this preseason

While many assumed that Suamataia would end up winning the left guard job due to where he was drafted, Caliendo went from getting to fight for the job to never really even getting a chance. His audition essentially was the end of last season where he mostly got worked on the left side, especially in the Super Bowl.

Caliendo should still make the team and will be a valuable backup to have on the roster but that’s probably not what he was hoping for this summer. Caliendo’s only hope to crack the starting lineup down the road is an injury (which no one is rooting for) or for Suamataia to struggle in his new role.

For now though, it’s safe to say that Mike Caliendo is the Chiefs’ biggest loser due to going from having a shot to win a starting job to never getting that chance.