Chiefs HC Andy Reid sends clear message about Joe Thuney's future as Kansas City explores the best options at left tackle for 2025
The Kansas City Chiefs' Super Bowl LIX hopes were sunk the moment they were unable to figure out the left tackle position for the 2024 NFL season. The team started four different players at the left tackle position throughout the course of the 2024 NFL season, navigating various challenges related to injury and player development. They […]
The Kansas City Chiefs' Super Bowl LIX hopes were sunk the moment they were unable to figure out the left tackle position for the 2024 NFL season.
The team started four different players at the left tackle position throughout the course of the 2024 NFL season, navigating various challenges related to injury and player development. They ultimately landed on moving Joe Thuney from left guard to left tackle, providing consistency and stability for the offensive line from a pivotal Week 15 through Week 17 stretch, and again during the postseason. Thuney was even named the Derrick Thomas MVP Award winner for 2024 after putting his team first.
It was a bold move from Chiefs HC Andy Reid, and one that paid off up until the moment that it didn't. But how things ended in Super Bowl LIX left a big question that needs answering for Kansas City this offseason: Who will start at left tackle in 2025?
As the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine gets underway, the Chiefs aren't any closer to figuring the answer to that question, at least not publicly. Reid told reporters the team is keeping its options open at the left tackle position moving forward.
"Yeah, we're keeping everything wide open there as we do this thing, and really digging in on what's available," Reid said. "Potentially in free agency, what's available in the draft. And it's, it's probably too early to really go there, but that's a position that we're looking at for sure."
Chiefs GM Brett Veach's comments about the left tackle position and whether it's a priority were a bit more roundabout, but it's clear they aim to invest in the O-Line again in 2025. While Reid says they're keeping their options open, there already seems to be at least one decision made on an option at their disposal.
Will Chiefs' Joe Thuney get consideration at left tackle in 2025?
Of the left tackle options on the 90-man offseason roster for Kansas City, Thuney might still be the most well-seasoned and prepared. They still have Kingsley Suamataia and Wanya Morris, but neither player was the solution last year.
Regarding Thuney's future role, Reid seems adamant on returning him to his natural position in 2025.
"Joe's a natural guard-center," Reid said. "That's really what his position was. By the graciousness of his heart, he stepped out and played tackle for us, and what a job he did. But I think you move him back inside, and he goes back to what he does best."
There's always the chance that the Chiefs find themselves in a bind again with an injury that forces their hand, but right now, they're planning on Thuney as their starting left guard in 2025. That's how it should be, setting Thuney up for another potential All-Pro season, and setting up the team for an offensive line that features the five best players, playing their natural positions.
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