Tonsil Tickling? Issues for the Kansas City Chiefs O-Line

The Kansas City Chiefs’ offensive line has been solid enough to keep their playoff hopes alive, but lately, they’ve been dealing with a “tonsil tickling” problem—small, nagging issues that don’t derail games outright but chip away at efficiency. From minor injuries to inconsistent run blocking and occasional pass protection lapses, these subtle flaws have started to show, especially against elite defenses. For an offense reliant on Patrick Mahomes’ rhythm and Isiah Pacheco’s run game, even small O-line hiccups can disrupt momentum. Tonsil Tickling? Issues for the Kansas City Chiefs O-Line breaks down these under-the-radar problems, why they matter, and how the Chiefs can fix them before the playoffs.

The first “tickling” issue is the offensive line’s inconsistent run blocking. Through the first 10 games, the Chiefs averaged 4.5 yards per carry, but over the last five games, that number has dropped to 3.8. Much of the drop comes from inconsistent gap creation: left guard Joe Thuney has been reliable, but right guard Trey Smith has struggled with hip tightness, leading to missed blocks in short-yardage situations. Center Creed Humphrey, usually a rock, has had two games with snaps that sailed high or wide—small mistakes that force Mahomes to adjust and disrupt run plays. Against the Bills in Week 15, the Chiefs failed to convert three third-and-1 plays, with Pacheco getting stuffed at the line each time. “We’re not creating the same lanes we were earlier,” said running backs coach Deland McCullough. “It’s small things— a missed reach block, a slow pull—and they add up.” These aren’t season-ending issues, but they’re the kind of “tickles” that can cost the Chiefs a close playoff game. Tonsil Tickling? Issues for the Kansas City Chiefs O-Line emphasizes that these small run-blocking lapses are more impactful than they seem.

Pass protection has also had subtle but costly flaws. Mahomes has been sacked 29 times this season, which isn’t catastrophic, but 12 of those sacks came from “cleanup” pressures—when an O-lineman initially blocks his man but lets him slip free after a second. Right tackle Jawaan Taylor, who returned from an ankle injury in Week 16, has looked sharp overall but has had three plays where he overcommitted to the edge, letting defenders loop inside for quick pressures. Left tackle Donovan Smith, meanwhile, has struggled with speed rushers on third downs, allowing four pressures in the last three games. These aren’t full-on breakdowns, but they force Mahomes to rush throws or scramble, cutting short potential big plays. Against the Texans in Week 16, a late third-down pressure on Smith forced Mahomes to throw an incomplete pass, killing a potential game-sealing drive. “It’s about sustainment,” said O-line coach Andy Heck. “We block well for two seconds, but we need three. Those extra half-seconds are where Patrick makes magic—and we’re not giving him enough of them.” Tonsil Tickling? Issues for the Kansas City Chiefs O-Line highlights that these pass-protection “tickles” are limiting the offense’s ceiling.

For the Kansas City Chiefs, these O-line issues are especially concerning because they’re facing playoff defenses that excel at exploiting small flaws. The Ravens’ pass rush, led by Odafe Oweh, targets inconsistent tackles, while the Bills’ defensive line uses stunts to capitalize on gap mistakes. The Kansas City Chiefs have started addressing the “tickles” in practice, adding 10 minutes of daily “sustain drills”—having linemen block dummy defenders for four seconds instead of three to build endurance. They’ve also brought in former O-line great Will Shields to work with Smith and Taylor on technique, focusing on footwork to avoid overcommitting. “We’re not panicking, but we’re fixing the small stuff,” said head coach Andy Reid. “The playoffs are where details win, and we need our O-line to be sharp.” The Chiefs are also monitoring Smith’s and Taylor’s workloads, giving them extra rest in practice to avoid fatigue-related mistakes—another way to quiet those “tickles” before they become bigger problems. Tonsil Tickling? Issues for the Kansas City Chiefs O-Line shows the Chiefs are taking proactive steps to fix these subtle flaws.

Depth is another quiet “tickling” point for the Kansas City Chiefs’ O-line. If Taylor or Smith gets banged up again, the Chiefs would turn to Lucas Niang at tackle—who allowed two pressures in his limited Week 16 reps—or rookie Wanya Morris, who has played just 12 offensive snaps all season. At guard, backup Nick Allegretti has been solid, but he’s dealing with a minor knee issue that limits his practice time. These depth concerns aren’t urgent now, but they’re the kind of “tickles” that can blow up in the playoffs if a starter goes down. The Kansas City Chiefs have started cross-training players: Humphrey has taken reps at guard, and Thuney has practiced at tackle in emergency drills. “We’re preparing for every scenario,” Heck said. “Depth issues don’t hurt until they do, so we’re making sure we have answers if something happens.” They’ve also kept an eye on free-agent linemen, though they haven’t signed anyone yet—prioritizing chemistry with the current group over adding a new piece. Tonsil Tickling? Issues for the Kansas City Chiefs O-Line underscores that depth worries, while small now, could become critical later.

Looking ahead, the Kansas City Chiefs know fixing these “tonsil tickling” O-line issues is key to a Super Bowl run. They have two weeks to refine run-blocking gaps, shore up pass-protection sustainment, and solidify depth before the playoffs. For Mahomes, who thrives when the O-line gives him even a little extra time, these fixes could unlock the offense’s full potential. “Our O-line is good—they just need to be consistent,” Mahomes said. “The small stuff will get fixed, and when it does, we’ll be tough to stop.” For fans, these “tickles” are a reminder that even great teams have flaws—but the best teams fix them before they matter. Tonsil Tickling? Issues for the Kansas City Chiefs O-Line concludes that while the Chiefs’ O-line isn’t broken, addressing these small issues will be the difference between a short playoff stay and lifting another Lombardi Trophy. In the end, it’s the “tickles” no one notices that often decide championships—and the Chiefs are working to make sure they don’t get in the way.