Chiefs’ snap counts exposed 3 roster truths in sleepy Seattle loss

Honorable mention: 9 p.m. (CT) kickoffs suck. If we're coming up with some takeaways from the Kansas City Chiefs' second preseason game, put that on the list.

It's not often we turn the Chiefs off before the game's end, but it probably happened at your house on Friday night. Still, a few of us powered through to come away with some key insights from the snap counts from K.C.'s visit to Seattle.

Upon review of the team's snap counts, here are three things we learned about the Chiefs' roster construction so far.

1. Kingsley Suamataia struggles to seize left guard role

Kingsley Suamataia, the Chiefs' second-round pick in the 2024 draft, played the same 10 snaps in the first series as (from left to right) Joshua Simmons, Creed Humphrey, Trey Smith, and Jaylon Moore. Perhaps more telling is that all five starting linemen sat after that first drive and did not play another snap against the Seahawks.

That means that at the same time the Chiefs pulled two of the league's highest-paid players at their positions, they also decided they had seen enough from the completely unproven Suamataia.

The problem is, after two preseason games, the 6'4", 325-lb. Suamataia isn't taking advantage of the few reps he is getting. If anything, his play has validated existing concerns. The Chiefs were able to move the chains in their opening drive at Seattle, but for the second week in a row, Suamataia was the weakest link on the offensive line.

Despite the fact that Mike Caliendo played every snap at left guard during the Chiefs' playoff run last season, Suamataia was seemingly handed the job just a month later when the team traded a potential future Ring of Honor member, Joe Thuney, to Chicago on March 12.

Some have speculated that Moore, the Chiefs' high-priced free agent last spring, could potentially be an upgrade at left guard; however, the Chiefs have shown no indication of pursuing that. Moore has been playing almost entirely at right tackle in place of Jawaan Taylor, who has been dinged up.

2. Nikko Remigio is in a legitimate battle to make the roster

The incumbent kick returner was widely viewed as a lock to make the Chiefs for his special teams play coming into training camp. However, Remigio was the seventh wide receiver to take the field on offense against the Seahawks, even after Skyy Moore (and that was with Hollywood Brown out).

Remigio, Moore, and Jason Brownlee appear to be in a dead heat for a potential WR7 role on the Chiefs' active roster. While the need for seven wide receivers was once thought a possibility with the potential upcoming suspension for Rashee Rice, that could be extinguished now that we've learned Rice won't even have a hearing until after Week 4 of the regular season.

As for special teams, Remigio could become expendable if the Chiefs decide they want to keep rookie running back Brashard Smith as the primary returner.

3. Chris Oladokun has officially passed Bailey Zappe

With Patrick Mahomes on the shelf this game, there were plenty of reps to be had for the Chiefs' backup quarterbacks. After veteran backup Gardner Minshew played two series, it was Oladokun who took the helm for the next four possessions. Zappe did not enter the game until later in the second half, and he did not achieve a first down.

And let's be clear: There's a very good chance that neither Oladokun nor Zappe makes the final 53-man roster, barring injury. But there now appears to be a definitive pecking order in the Chiefs' quarterback room.