KC Chiefs: Who could be a first-time Pro Bowler in 2021?
By Matt Conner
Joe Thuney
Of all of the players who are ready to make their first Pro Bowl in 2021, this one feels like the favorite and it’s not even close. That’s not a knock on the chances on the other names listed here. It’s actually about the fact that most NFL fans would likely already believe that Joe Thuney had been to a Pro Bowl in years past—if not multiple times.
Making a name for yourself as an interior offensive lineman is not an easy thing to do, but Joe Thuney has been familiar to even casual fans for a few years now after being such a productive member of the most notable team of the last 20 years. Thuney’s presence and versatility in the middle of the New England Patriots offensive front helped them win two Super Bowl titles. In addition, this offseason, he was one of the single biggest prizes on the FA market (only two players got bigger contracts this spring).
In short, how is Joe Thuney somehow on this list?
Thuney is something of an anomaly along the offensive line in the same way as Mitchell Schwartz, who was a yearly All-Pro yet somehow was consistently burned in the less prestigious Pro Bowl voting. Thuney was an All-Pro in 2019, but he’s never made the NFL’s version of an All-Star Game and he’s been performing at a high level for a Super Bowl contender for years. It’s time to change all of that.
Perhaps another deep postseason run, this time with a new team noted for an offensive line rebuild will be the storyline that finally pushes Thuney into the Pro Bowl. He certainly deserves it and has for some time.