By Nate Taylor The Athletic
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KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Joe Thuney did everything the Chiefs asked of him — and more.

Four years ago, the Chiefs signed Thuney, the All-Pro left guard, as their biggest acquisition in free agency, to bolster the offensive line for quarterback Patrick Mahomes. In four seasons, Thuney was exceptional, an ideal pass blocker who helped the Chiefs become the NFL’s newest dynasty.

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Thuney’s reputation reached perhaps an all-time high late last season when he was moved to left tackle — the lineman most responsible for protecting Mahomes’ blind side — to fix the biggest issue with the Chiefs’ roster.

“The more you can do is always good,” Thuney said last month before Super Bowl LIX. “Whatever is needed for the team, just go out there and do it. I just do the best that I can. That’s all you can do.”

In a less-than-ideal circumstance, Thuney’s best was enough to stabilize the Chiefs offense, allowing Mahomes just enough time to lead his teammates to a third consecutive Super Bowl. Even after the Chiefs’ blowout loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, Thuney was recognized by his teammates: They voted him as the winner of the team’s Derrick Thomas MVP award.

On Wednesday morning, less than a month after the Super Bowl, the Chiefs utilized Thuney one last time, a move they hope will help them solve their left tackle problem. General manager Brett Veach informed Thuney that the Chiefs agreed to trade him to the Chicago Bears for a 2026 fourth-round pick, league sources said.

By trading Thuney, 32, to the Bears, the Chiefs cleared $16 million in cap space, according to Over the Cap.

The Chiefs’ next move is to re-sign right guard Trey Smith to a multiyear extension, likely a four- or five-year deal, according to a source. Last week, the Chiefs placed the franchise tag on Smith, a Pro Bowler who is 25 years old, to prevent him from reaching free agency. Veach and coach Andy Reid hope to sign Smith to his extension before 11 a.m. CT on Monday, when agents of unrestricted free agents can enter contract negotiations with any interested team. Smith was supposed to be the most coveted free-agent offensive lineman this spring. He is expected to sign a deal with an annual salary of at least $23 million, making him the league’s highest-paid guard.

When free agency begins, the Chiefs will target Ronnie Stanley, the nine-year veteran who is the best left tackle available on the market, according to sources. Stanley, who will turn 31 this month, started all 17 season games last season for the Baltimore Ravens. He earned a 70.7 overall grade from Pro Football Focus and allowed just three sacks.

Stanley’s experience and value, in both the run and pass game when healthy, are why the Chiefs believe he can be a major upgrade at the position and also be a dependable starter for multiple years. After all, the Chiefs have started a different left tackle in each of their five Super Bowl appearances over the last six years.

“We’re still going to continue to look there and try to come up with something,” Veach said last week at the NFL combine. “We’re going to exhaust as much time and whatever resources we have. I just want to make sure you’re investing resources on a good player, not just investing resources just to say we addressed (the roster need).”

Although Stanley has dealt with multiple significant injuries during his career, he is projected to command a two-year, $40 million contract, including $27.5 million guaranteed, according to Pro Football Focus.

“Not talked about a lot, but I don’t know if (another) player has had a better free-agency year than Ronnie Stanley,” Chase Daniel, the former NFL quarterback, said on Tuesday’s episode of “Scoop City,” the podcast he hosts with ‘s NFL insider Dianna Russini. “He had a great year. Here’s what I want to happen: Go to the Kansas City Chiefs. …

“You promised and you did this after (Super Bowl LV), Veach. You went out and solidified that offensive line even more. Get your guy and make sure you protect the franchise — and that franchise is Patrick Mahomes.

Last season, the Chiefs used Kingsley Suamataia, Wanya Morris and D.J. Humphries at the position before moving Thuney to left tackle. The team had its worst performance of the season in Super Bowl LIX.

The Eagles’ four-man pass rush generated 16 pressures and sacked Mahomes six times, the most in his career.

“Yeah, we got blown out,” Veach said last week. “It only exposed an issue that was at the top of our priority list anyway.”

Ahead of the NFL Draft, the Chiefs have just six picks. They likely would have to trade up in the first round to select one of the top left tackle prospects. Veach also acknowledged that the Chiefs could re-sign Humphries, the nine-year veteran, to another one-year deal. Humphries wants another chance to prove he can be the starting left tackle, as he is eager to participate in the offseason program and training camp after joining the team in November 2024.

The Chiefs knew they had to get younger — and more affordable — at one of their interior positions on the offensive line.