Mike Caliendo Steps In After Injury for the Kansas City Chiefs

When Kansas City Chiefs right guard Trey Smith left Wednesday’s practice with a Grade 1 ankle sprain—just one week before their critical Week 17 matchup with the Los Angeles Chargers—head coach Andy Reid didn’t panic. Instead, he turned to Mike Caliendo, a third-year lineman who has spent the past two seasons as the Chiefs’ primary interior offensive line backup. Caliendo, who can play both guard spots and center, immediately stepped into Smith’s role with the first-team offense, running through zone-blocking drills and pass protection sets without a single miscue. The injury to Smith—who has started all 15 games this season and graded as the Chiefs’ second-best offensive lineman by Pro Football Focus—could have derailed the team’s offensive rhythm, but Caliendo’s readiness has kept the unit on track. Mike Caliendo Steps In After Injury for the Kansas City Chiefs is a story of depth and preparation, as a unsung backup proves he’s ready to contribute when his team needs him most.

Caliendo’s path to this moment began long before Smith’s injury, rooted in his reputation as one of the Chiefs’ hardest-working players. Undrafted out of the University of Wisconsin in 2023, he signed with Kansas City after impressing coaches with his football IQ and versatility during rookie minicamp. Over the past two seasons, he’s spent countless hours studying film with offensive line coach Andy Heck, learning the nuances of each interior position and memorizing the tendencies of every Chiefs opponent. This preparation paid off in 2024, when he filled in for an injured Joe Thuney at left guard for three games, allowing just one sack and helping the Chiefs rush for over 100 yards in each contest. This season, Caliendo has played 87 offensive snaps across 12 games, mostly in garbage time or as a sixth lineman in short-yardage situations, but he’s treated every snap like a start. When Smith went down on Wednesday, Caliendo didn’t need a playbook review—he already knew every assignment, every blocking scheme, and every tells of the Chargers’ defensive line. His ability to step in seamlessly is a testament to the Chiefs’ culture of “next man up,” but it’s also a result of his own dedication. Mike Caliendo Steps In After Injury for the Kansas City Chiefs underscores the importance of backup players who prepare like starters, even when the spotlight isn’t on them.

The Chiefs’ confidence in Caliendo stems from his unique skill set—specifically, his ability to mirror Smith’s physical style of play. At 6-foot-4 and 315 pounds, Caliendo lacks Smith’s sheer power (Smith bench-presses 350 pounds, compared to Caliendo’s 320), but he makes up for it with quick feet and precise technique. Smith is known for his aggressive run blocking, often driving defensive tackles back two or three yards to create lanes for Isiah Pacheco; Caliendo uses a more finesse approach, using his hands to lock onto defenders and steer them out of the play rather than overpowering them. This difference in style required minor adjustments from the Chiefs’ running game—Pacheco will likely run more outside zones behind Caliendo, where his quickness can create edges, rather than inside zones that rely on brute force—but it doesn’t require a complete overhaul. Offensively, the Chiefs also benefit from Caliendo’s experience at center, which allows him to communicate adjustments to the line if center Creed Humphrey is ever distracted. During Wednesday’s practice, Caliendo showed off this versatility, shifting to center for a handful of snaps when Humphrey needed a break and then sliding back to right guard without missing a beat. For the Chiefs, this flexibility is invaluable: it means they don’t have to burn a roster spot on a specialized backup guard, and it allows Heck to make in-game adjustments without disrupting the line’s chemistry. Mike Caliendo Steps In After Injury for the Kansas City Chiefs is a perfect example of how versatility can turn a potential crisis into a manageable situation.

The Kansas City Chiefs’ game plan against the Chargers will lean heavily on Caliendo’s ability to neutralize Los Angeles’ right defensive tackle, Austin Johnson—a 325-pound run-stuffer who has recorded 45 tackles and 2 sacks this season. Johnson is Smith’s usual matchup, and he’s proven tough to handle in past meetings: in their Week 6 game, Johnson recorded 6 tackles and a tackle for loss, including a key stop on fourth-and-1 that halted a Chiefs scoring drive. Caliendo has spent extra time this week studying Johnson’s tendencies, focusing on his habit of using a “swim move” to get past guards and his tendency to lean left before making a move. The Kansas City Chiefs’ practice sessions have included one-on-one drills between Caliendo and Johnson’s practice squad mimic, defensive tackle Danny Shelton (who was released earlier this week but re-signed to the practice squad to help with preparation). After one drill where Caliendo successfully blocked Shelton, Heck pulled him aside and praised his “awareness” and “timing”—two traits that will be critical against Johnson. Offensively, the Chiefs will also use more play-action passes to keep Johnson honest, forcing him to hesitate between rushing the passer and dropping into run coverage. This strategy should help Caliendo, who is more comfortable in pass protection than run blocking, and it will take pressure off Patrick Mahomes to make quick decisions. The Kansas City Chiefs’ trust in Caliendo isn’t blind—it’s based on hours of practice, film study, and proven performance in limited action. Mike Caliendo Steps In After Injury for the Kansas City Chiefs is a test of this trust, but all signs point to Caliendo rising to the occasion.

For the Kansas City Chiefs, Caliendo’s fill-in role also has long-term implications, as it gives the team a chance to evaluate a potential future starter. Smith is under contract through 2026, but offensive linemen are prone to injuries, and the Chiefs will need to plan for life after Smith eventually retires or leaves in free agency. Caliendo, who is in the final year of his undrafted free agent contract, has a chance to earn a bigger role (and a bigger contract) with a strong performance against the Chargers. The Kansas City Chiefs have a history of developing undrafted linemen into starters—former Chiefs guard Laurent Duvernay-Tardif and current center Creed Humphrey both went undrafted before becoming Pro Bowlers—and Caliendo could follow in their footsteps. Even if Smith returns healthy for the playoffs, Caliendo’s performance will likely earn him more snaps in the postseason, possibly as a sixth lineman or as a rotational player to keep Smith and Thuney fresh. For the Chiefs, this is a win-win: they get a capable fill-in for Smith, and they get to evaluate a young player who could be part of their future. The Kansas City Chiefs’ front office has always valued developmental players, and Caliendo’s opportunity is a result of that philosophy. Mike Caliendo Steps In After Injury for the Kansas City Chiefs is a reminder that every game, every snap, and every injury is an opportunity for someone to prove their worth—and the Chiefs are always watching.

Looking ahead, the Kansas City Chiefs will monitor Smith’s recovery closely, but they’re already preparing for the worst-case scenario: Caliendo starting at right guard for the remainder of the regular season and possibly the first round of the playoffs. Smith is expected to be a game-time decision against the Chargers, but even if he plays, he’ll likely be on a snap count, meaning Caliendo will still see significant action. For Caliendo, this is the moment he’s been preparing for since he signed with the Chiefs two years ago. He’s not intimidated by the spotlight—he’s embraced it, staying late after practice to work on his footwork and meeting with Mahomes to go over pass protection reads. “I’ve always believed that if I prepare like a starter, I’ll be ready when the time comes,” Caliendo said after Wednesday’s practice. “Now the time is here, and I’m not going to let this team down.” The Kansas City Chiefs have no reason to doubt him. His preparation, his versatility, and his calm demeanor make him the perfect fill-in for Smith, and his performance could be the difference between the Chiefs securing the AFC’s top seed and settling for a lower spot. Mike Caliendo Steps In After Injury for the Kansas City Chiefs is more than just a story about a backup player—it’s a story about the values that make the Chiefs a perennial contender: hard work, preparation, and trust in the “next man up.” As the Chiefs head into the most important part of the season, Caliendo’s moment to shine has arrived—and he’s ready to make the most of it.