Kingsley Suamataia was allowed to play in an NFL regular season game for the first time on Thursday night when the Kansas City Chiefs rookie started as left tackle in the 2024 league opener against the Baltimore Ravens.

For the former BYU and Orem High star lineman, there were both positive and educational moments.

Ultimately, however, there was cause for celebration, both for the 6-foot-4, 325-pound rookie and for the Chiefs, who won 27-20 in a thrilling game on the same night Kansas City celebrated its second consecutive Super Bowl victory in February.

How did Kingsley Suamataia perform in his first NFL start?

Suamataia looked like a rookie at times when facing a Baltimore pass rush that led the NFL in sacks last season, allowing one sack and two quarterback pressures.

Suamataia was also penalized for holding in the third quarter, which negated a 9-yard run that had brought Kansas City to the Baltimore 10-yard line. Ultimately, that penalty didn’t hurt the Chiefs — two plays later, the Ravens were penalized for roughness on the passer, and two plays after that, Isiah Pacheco scored on a 1-yard touchdown run.

He seemed more confident in blocking runs, but struggled in pass defense and struggled at times with the twists and turns of the Ravens’ forwards. Overall, however, his first start can be described as successful.

In the fourth quarter, the NBC broadcast discussed Suamataia’s night, with analyst Cris Collinsworth noting that unlike previous instances, Suamataia didn’t get much help in pass defense with the Chiefs – perhaps a sign that they trust him even as a young player.

“Playing left tackle is as tough as it’s ever been in this league. I was a little surprised he didn’t get a lot of help. There were times in the past when they almost every time had a back or tight end supporting the left tackle,” Collinsworth said.

“Was he perfect tonight? No. But it was definitely not a disaster. He’s a good, athletic player. He’s going to be a good left tackle in this league.”

Kingsley Suamataia’s most beautiful moment

The play, which perhaps showcased Suamataia’s athletic ability and speed, was Kansas City’s first touchdown of the game.

When Kansas City faced a first-and-10 at the Baltimore 21-yard line on its first possession, rookie wide receiver Xavier Worthy took an end to the right and showed off his quickness while evading both blockers and defenders to score on the play.

Suamataia was one of several blockers moving from left to right on the play, and despite his size, Suamataia easily maneuvered from the left side of the court to the right corner before delivering the final decisive block on Raven’s Roquan Smith, opening up the final space Worthy needed to score.

A teaching moment for Kingsley Suamataia

Suamataia had one of the learning experiences of the evening on the Chiefs’ next possession.

As Kansas City faced a third-and-8 attempt at the Baltimore 46-yard line, the Ravens’ David Ojabo used a speed rush to overpower the rookie left tackle and force him deeper into the pocket moments after the snap.

Ojabo, still in the fight with Suamataia, then grabbed Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes and stopped his advance to sack the ball.

This game illustrated the learning curve Suamataia must go through as he adjusts to the speed and physicality of the NFL game.