The nine-year veteran, initially chosen within the third spherical (No. 78 general) of the 2016 NFL Draft by the New England Patriots, signed with the Chiefs throughout the 2021 offseason.
Thuney made three consecutive Professional Bowls (2022-24) and was named first-team All-Professional in 2023 and 2024. Final season, Thuney completed tenth in Related Press Offensive Participant of the Yr voting.
The choice to half with Thuney is solely monetary. By buying and selling the All-Professional expertise, Kansas Metropolis saves $16 million towards the 2025 cap. Per Over The Cap, the Chiefs entered Monday $18.121 million above the $279.2 million 2025 cap.
From an on-field perspective, the transfer places Kansas Metropolis additional away from a fourth-consecutive AFC championship. Because the Chiefs’ 40-22 Tremendous Bowl LIX loss to the Philadelphia Eagles demonstrated, their offensive line is a weak hyperlink.
Thuney struggled after shifting from left guard to left deal with, together with permitting seven pressures within the Tremendous Bowl. Nonetheless, the smarter transfer would have been to shift Thuney again inside and tackle the deal with place within the draft or free company.
As a substitute, the Chiefs have questions at deal with and guard. Heart Creed Humphrey and proper guard Trey Smith are the one high quality starters on the road.
Final season, head coach Andy Reid benched left deal with Wanya Morris, prompting Thuney’s outdoors transfer. Proper deal with Jawaan Taylor allowed 43 whole pressures and was penalized 19 instances, tied for essentially the most amongst tackles. (h/t Pro Football Focus)
Kansas Metropolis is caught with Taylor, who’s owed $20 million assured in 2025. Morris is on a way more inexpensive rookie contract, however the Chiefs cannot go into the 2025 season with him as a starter and count on higher outcomes.
Buying and selling Thuney would have been extra justifiable had the Chiefs acquired greater than a measly 2026 fourth spherical decide. Until Kansas Metropolis makes use of that decide in a commerce bundle to maneuver up within the 2025 draft, it should do nothing to assist the workforce win this coming season.
The Chiefs are getting a lot weaker with their pending commerce of Thuney, which might’t be finalized till the 2025 league yr begins subsequent Wednesday, March 12, at 4 p.m. ET.
Kansas Metropolis can be a contender for so long as quarterback Patrick Mahomes performs, however changing Thuney could be more durable than the Chiefs suppose.
