The Kansas City Chiefs made a slightly puzzling decision when, in the line of their offensive line’s obliteration in Super Bowl LIX, they decided to move off All-Pro guard, Joe Thuney, tradig him to the Chicago Bears for the price of a fourth round pick.
At the time, much was made about this trade. Some praised the Chiefs for extracting solid value for a 32-year old with just one year left on his current deal – although he has since signed a two-year, $35 million extension with Chicago.
Yet it was still perhaps a little puzzling, given the Chiefs remain firmly in win-now mode, and Thuney is one of the best and most versatile guards in the league.
So it was perhaps not shocking when former 4 x All-Pro Chiefs tackle, Mitchell Schwartz, gave a more detailed explanation on why the team chose to move off the 4 x Super Bowl champion.
Mitchell Schwartz Explains Why The Chiefs Moved Off Joe Thuney In March
Speaking to The Athletic’s Ted Nguyen, Schwartz explains that whilst he did not expect Thuney to be moved, the decision reflects a move back to a more physical “set” of offensive football on passing plays.
“I was surprised Thuney got traded,” Mitchell said on Wednesday, via Nguyen, “but in thinking about why youâd trade Thuney and re-sign Trey long term, and move Kingsley [Suamataia] to left guard permanently, it struck me that itâs a return to physical pass sets and firmer pockets. Thuney is undoubtedly one of the best guards in football, especially pass blocking, but he takes more of a ânormalâ pass set.
The Chiefs have long emphasized firmer and more aggressive sets, and the combination of Trey [Smith] and Kingsley gives them more size, more youth, more strength, more firm sets. Especially if your interior is the strength of your offensive line, be firm and allow the QB to step up if the tackles are having some issues.â
Chiefs Looking For ‘More Aggressive’ Sets On The Interior
“Sets” in an offensive line capacity is perhaps is not a term that all Chiefs fans are necessarily very familiar with. They refer to the stance of the offensive lineman – particularly on the interior – in blocking the defensive line on passing or run downs.
More “aggressive” sets in the run game – such as jump sets, have the o-line attack the defensive line quickly, with immediate contact and a lot of forward momentum and footwork.
Suamataia is a more physical, imposing presence at the position, and has the opportunity to become a very valuable road-grader for an offense that will likely look to build back up their rushing attack, now with a strong foursome of Isiah Pacheco, Kareem Hunt, Elijah Mitchell and Carson Steele.
And whilst Thuney was undoubtedly one of the Chiefs’ most valuable players for the near half-decade he was in KC, his strengths lay more in pass-protection than as a bully in the run game.
Suamataia is relatively untested in the league, having started just two games in his rookie year – both of which where fairly unsuccessful outings at left tackle. If the former second round pick can figure it out on the interior, Kansas City will feel very good about the move off Thuney.
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