The nine-year veteran, originally selected in the third round (No. 78 overall) of the 2016 NFL Draft by the New England Patriots, signed with the Chiefs during the 2021 offseason.
Thuney made three consecutive Pro Bowls (2022-24) and was named first-team All-Pro in 2023 and 2024. Last season, Thuney finished 10th in Associated Press Offensive Player of the Year voting.
The decision to part with Thuney is purely financial. By trading the All-Pro talent, Kansas City saves $16 million against 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 move puts Kansas City further away from a fourth-consecutive AFC championship. As the Chiefs’ 40-22 Super Bowl LIX loss to the Philadelphia Eagles demonstrated, their offensive line is a weak link.
Thuney struggled after moving from left guard to left tackle, including allowing seven pressures in the Super Bowl. Still, the smarter move would have been to shift Thuney back inside and address the tackle position in the draft or free agency.
Instead, the Chiefs have questions at tackle and guard. Center Creed Humphrey and right guard Trey Smith are the only quality starters on the line.
Last season, head coach Andy Reid benched left tackle Wanya Morris, prompting Thuney’s outside move. Right tackle Jawaan Taylor allowed 43 total pressures and was penalized 19 times, tied for the most among tackles. (h/t Pro Football Focus)
Kansas City is stuck with Taylor, who is owed $20 million guaranteed in 2025. Morris is on a much more affordable rookie contract, but the Chiefs can’t go into the 2025 season with him as a starter and expect better results.
Trading Thuney would have been more justifiable had the Chiefs acquired more than a measly 2026 fourth round pick. Unless Kansas City uses that pick in a trade package to move up in the 2025 draft, it will do nothing to help the team win this coming season.
The Chiefs are getting much weaker with their pending trade of Thuney, which can’t be finalized until the 2025 league year begins next Wednesday, March 12, at 4 p.m. ET.
Kansas City will be a contender for as long as quarterback Patrick Mahomes plays, but replacing Thuney might be harder than the Chiefs think.
