NEW ORLEANS — The Kansas City Chiefs, enjoying a strong season with the best record in the NFL, have recently encountered a challenge that threatened their offensive efficiency. The team’s left tackles had difficulties in safeguarding quarterback Patrick Mahomes’ blind side, which raised concerns about the overall performance of their offense.
The remedy? By shifting All-Pro left guard Joe Thuney to tackle, the Chiefs managed to address this issue. This strategic move has contributed significantly to the team’s prospects of securing a third consecutive Super Bowl title in their upcoming matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles.
“His unselfishness is evident,” remarked offensive line coach Andy Heck. “He’s genuinely a team player and a fantastic performer. Transitioning to a position he hasn’t occupied regularly in a long time without hesitation—his attitude of ‘whatever is needed, I’ll do it’—is commendable. He has been crucial for us and has calmed the offense, allowing us to operate more effectively.”
Thuney’s performance in the AFC title game against Buffalo stood out, as he allowed no pressures according to Pro Football Focus. Over his last three games, he has permitted only three pressures after adapting swiftly to his new role, having last played left tackle during his senior year at North Carolina State in 2015.
Before joining the lineup as a tackle, Thuney had played only 82 snaps at that position throughout more than eight seasons. He was called to play tackle late in a recent game against the Raiders, where Mahomes had endured five sacks for the second consecutive match, showcasing his frustration. Thuney accepted the switch when approached by coaches, recognizing it would require significant adjustments.
“You find yourself in much more open space, dealing with different types of athletes in defensive ends, compared to defensive tackles,” he explained. “Adjusting to that environment takes some time.”
After briefly returning to his typical position, Thuney reclaimed the tackle spot in a Week 15 victory over Cleveland and has remained there since. Notably, Mahomes’ rate of being sacked has tapered from 7% during the first 14 weeks to just 2.7% following Thuney’s transition.
Mahomes praised Thuney, predicting he may eventually be honored with a Pro Football Hall of Fame induction, referring to him as a “gold-jacket” player.
“He’s an excellent pass protector,” noted Heck. “He possesses sharp anticipation and stable balance. A common pitfall for many offensive linemen is overextending or misjudging their positioning, but Thuney avoids these mistakes. He remains composed and efficient, which is what sets him apart as one of the elite.”
Thuney entered the NFL when he was drafted in the third round by the New England Patriots in 2016. Almost immediately, he became a starter at left guard on a championship-winning team. He claimed another Super Bowl title with the Patriots in 2018 before signing with Kansas City in 2021 as a highly sought-after free agent.
Since joining the Chiefs, Thuney has celebrated two more Super Bowl victories, and triumphing on Sunday would place him among the elite group of players with five championship rings. His teammate Tom Brady (seven) and Charles Haley (five) are the only others to achieve this level of success.
“It’s surreal at times,” Thuney expressed. “I’m incredibly fortunate to have been drafted by a stellar organization like the Patriots, and to sign with the Chiefs when they pursued me in free agency has been an extraordinary journey.”
