Joe Thuney’s time with the Kansas City Chiefs is over.
The All-Pro guard, 32, signed a five-year, $80million contract with the team when he arrived in March 2021.
He will now depart after four seasons at Arrowhead Stadium, having played a key role for the NFL’s newest dynasty.
Not only did Thuney win two more Super Bowls with the Chiefs – adding to the pair he won with the New England Patriots – but he also proved himself a versatile member of the offensive line.
He is seen as one of the top guards in the NFL, able to shield the pocket and blow open lanes in the run game.
With issues at left tackle in 2024, Kansas City moved Thuney to the outside – making him the lineman most responsible for protecting Patrick Mahomes’ blind side.
The move was enough to stabilize the Chiefs offense, allowing Mahomes to lead his teammates to a third consecutive Super Bowl.
Even after the blowout loss to the Philadelphia Eagles last month, Thuney was recognized by his teammates and voted the winner of Kansas City’s Derrick Thomas MVP award.
One month on from Super Bowl LIX, and the Chiefs have been able to utilize him one final time.
General manager Brett Veach informed Thuney this week that the team has agreed to trade him to the Chicago Bears for a 2026 fourth-round pick.
By making the deal, Kansas City have cleared $16m in cap space, and can now look to free agency for a longer-term solution to their issues at left tackle.
That solution, according to The Athletic, is Ronnie Stanley.
The nine-year veteran, who has played his entire career with the Baltimore Ravens, is believed to be the best left tackle available on the market.
Stanley, 30, played all 17 regular season games as part of Lamar Jackson‘s protection in 2024, staying healthy for the first time in years, and allowed just two sacks.
He earned a 71.0 overall grade from Pro Football Focus.
The Athletic’s Nate Taylor reports that the Chiefs believe Stanley can be a major upgrade at left tackle due to to his experience in both the run and pass game.
As long as he stays healthy, he can be a dependable starter for multiple years.
Kansas City started a different left tackle in each of their five Super Bowl appearances since 2020, and used Kingsley Suamataia, Wanya Morris and DJ Humphries at the position before moving Thuney there last season.
While Stanley has been troubled by multiple significant injuries during his Ravens career, he is projected to command a two-year, $40m contract once he hits the market.
Stay up to date with the latest from across the NFL via our talkSPORT Facebook page, and subscribe to our Endzone YouTube channel for news, view and exclusive interviews as we build up to the NFL Draft in April
