Rookie LT Benched by the Kansas City Chiefs

The Kansas City Chiefs made a notable roster adjustment ahead of their critical Week 14 game against the Baltimore Ravens: rookie left tackle (LT) Tyler Smith has been benched, with veteran Orlando Brown Jr. set to take over the position. Smith, a first-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, was expected to anchor the Chiefs’ offensive line for years to come but struggled with consistency in his debut season. His benching comes as the Chiefs, sitting at 6-7, fight to keep their playoff hopes alive—and as quarterback Patrick Mahomes has faced increased pressure, being sacked 34 times this season (on pace for a career high). Rookie LT Benched by the Kansas City Chiefs explores the reasons behind the move, its impact on the offensive line, and what it means for Smith’s development and the Chiefs’ stretch run.

Rookie LT Benched by the Kansas City Chiefs begins with Smith’s struggles that led to the decision. Smith started the first 12 games of the season but failed to find his footing against NFL pass rushers. According to Pro Football Focus, he allowed 12 sacks (the most among rookie tackles) and 23 quarterback pressures, with a pass-blocking grade of 52.3—ranking 68th out of 72 qualifying tackles. His issues were most apparent in recent weeks: against the Indianapolis Colts in Week 12, he gave up three sacks, and against the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 13, he committed four penalties, including two false starts that derailed scoring drives. “Tyler’s a talented kid, but he’s been struggling with the speed and physicality of the NFL,” head coach Andy Reid said in a press conference. “We need to put our best lineup on the field right now to win, and Orlando gives us more consistency at left tackle.” Smith, who was informed of the decision after Wednesday’s practice, expressed disappointment but understanding: “I know I haven’t played up to expectations. I’ll keep working, learn from this, and be ready when my number is called again.”

A key part of the move is Brown’s return to left tackle—why he’s the solution. Brown, a four-time Pro Bowler, spent the first four games of the season at right tackle after signing a one-year deal with the Chiefs in free agency. He previously played left tackle for the Chiefs in 2021-2022, helping them reach Super Bowl LVII, and has a proven track record of protecting Mahomes’ blind side. This season, his pass-blocking grade (78.9) is more than 25 points higher than Smith’s, and he’s allowed just three sacks all year. Moving Brown to left tackle means veteran Jawaan Taylor will shift to right tackle—a swap Reid believes will strengthen the entire line. “Orlando knows the left side, he knows Patrick, and he knows how to handle elite pass rushers,” offensive line coach Andy Heck said. “This move isn’t just about replacing Tyler—it’s about putting our offensive line in the best position to succeed. Jawaan has played right tackle before, so the transition should be smooth.” For the Chiefs, Brown’s familiarity with the system and Mahomes makes the move low-risk, high-reward.

Rookie LT Benched by the Kansas City Chiefs also includes the impact on the Kansas City Chiefs’ offensive line cohesion. For the Kansas City Chiefs, changing the left tackle midseason comes with risks—offensive lines rely on chemistry and communication, and even small shifts can disrupt timing. However, the Chiefs believe Brown’s experience will mitigate those issues. Brown has played with Taylor and center Creed Humphrey in past seasons, and he spent extra time with the line during Wednesday’s practice to work through adjustments. “We’ve all played together before, so it’s not like starting from scratch,” Brown said. “We ran through a bunch of pass-blocking drills today, and the communication was there. By Sunday, we’ll be ready.” For the Kansas City Chiefs, the priority is protecting Mahomes, who has been under increasing duress this season. If Brown can stabilize the left tackle spot, it will not only reduce sacks but also give Mahomes more time to make plays downfield. “When the left tackle is solid, the whole offense feels more confident,” Mahomes said. “Orlando gives us that stability, and that’s going to help us move the ball better.”

Another angle to consider is Smith’s development—how being benched can help the Kansas City Chiefs long-term. While the move is a setback for Smith in the short term, the Chiefs view it as a chance for him to grow without the pressure of starting. He’ll now work closely with Heck to fix technical flaws—like his footwork and hand placement—and study film to improve his reads of pass rushers. Reid emphasized that the benching isn’t a reflection of Smith’s potential: “Tyler’s going to be a great player in this league. Sometimes rookies need a step back to focus on the little things. This time on the sidelines will let him watch, learn, and come back stronger.” For the Kansas City Chiefs, investing in Smith’s development is critical—they drafted him to be a long-term starter, and this pause could help him avoid bad habits that would be harder to correct later. Smith has already embraced the role of understudy, sitting with Heck during film sessions and asking Brown for advice. “Orlando’s one of the best, so I’m going to soak up everything he teaches me,” Smith said. “I’ll be better for this.”

Rookie LT Benched by the Kansas City Chiefs also highlights the timing—why the Kansas City Chiefs made the move now. The Chiefs’ decision to bench Smith comes with just five games left in the regular season, a make-or-break stretch that includes matchups against elite pass rushers like the Ravens’ Jadeveon Clowney and the San Francisco 49ers’ Nick Bosa. Reid said waiting any longer would have put the team’s playoff chances at risk: “We don’t have time to wait for Tyler to figure it out. We need to win now, and Orlando gives us the best chance to do that against these pass rushers.” For the Kansas City Chiefs, the move is also a response to fan and media criticism—many had called for Smith to be benched after his recent struggles, and the coaching staff wanted to address the issue before it further eroded team confidence. “We listen to the noise, but we make decisions based on what’s best for the team,” Reid said. “This move is about winning, plain and simple. If it helps us make the playoffs, it’s the right call.”

Rookie LT Benched by the Kansas City Chiefs wraps up with the stakes for both Smith and the Chiefs. For Smith, the benching is a test of resilience—how he responds in the coming weeks will shape his future with the team. For the Chiefs, the move is a gamble that could either save their season or highlight deeper issues with the offensive line. If Brown stabilizes the left tackle spot and the Chiefs start winning, the decision will be hailed as a smart, proactive move. If the line still struggles, it could raise questions about the team’s offseason planning and roster depth. Regardless, Reid is confident in the choice: “We have a plan, and we’re sticking to it. Orlando will do a great job, Tyler will keep growing, and we’ll keep fighting for this playoff spot.” For the Kansas City Chiefs, this move is a reminder that in the NFL, winning in the present often requires tough decisions—even if they mean hitting pause on a rookie’s development. And for Smith, it’s a chance to prove that he has the mental toughness to bounce back and become the player the Chiefs drafted him to be.