In this news:
Kansas City Chiefs offensive tackle Donovan Smith reacts prior to Super Bowl LVIII against the San ... [+] Francisco 49ers at Allegiant Stadium. (Photo by Luke Hales/Getty Images)
Getty Images
In Super Bowl LIX, Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes said the Philadelphia Eagles blitzed just a couple of times.
So while basically rushing just four players, the Eagles defense still dominated along the line of scrimmage, sacking Mahomes six times and hitting him five other times. The pressure also forced him into three turnovers, including a pick-six.
“It just comes down to settling his feet,” Chiefs general manager Brett Veach said during his press conference at the 2025 NFL Combine, “and him trusting the protection up front.”
In the 40-22 loss, Mahomes couldn’t trust his protection — particularly at left tackle.
The Eagles took advantage of Joe Thuney, a Pro Bowl guard who was forced to become Mahomes’ blind-side protector after rookie Kingsley Suamataia and second-year lineman Wanya Morris struggled earlier in the season.
With such a glaring need at left tackle this past season, why didn’t the Chiefs turn to the previous year’s starter —Donovan Smith?
That’s because Smith, who the Chiefs signed to a one-year, $3 million contract before the 2023 season, suffered a hip injury while training in May of 2024 that caused him to miss the entire 2024 campaign.
According to a source close to the situation, about half of the league called to check on Smith last year.
Though he wasn’t able to help the Chiefs or any other team in 2024, he’s better now and hopes to continue his career in 2025.
.png)
