KC Chiefs could have three first-time Pro Bowlers along offensive line

Joe Thuney

If we’re being honest, some of us were surprised to learn that Joe Thuney already wasn’t a Pro Bowl guard, right? How could that be? Thuney was already known around the league for his exemplary play with a team that had already won multiple Super Bowls. He’s never missed a single game in his NFL career and protected Tom Brady and played under Bill Belichick. That sort of resume looks tailor-made for the Pro Bowl.

Instead, Thuney had suffered from the same sort of disease that plagued Mitchell Schwartz for years. Thuney was recognized for a more prestigious All Pro selection in 2019, yet just like Schwartz, he’d been passed over every year for the Pro Bowl. While we’re all aware of the ills of the Pro Bowl selection process (as a popularity contest more than anything), Thuney was well-known enough to earn the honor on more than one occasion.

Fast forward to this season and Thuney is as reliable as ever. He’s played every snap for the Chiefs up front while allowing zero sacks or hits of Patrick Mahomes. Back to that initial CBS tweet that Allen referred to:

This doesn’t include the anecdote that Thuney was actively playing with a broken hand for part of that time. It didn’t matter. He’s an absolute pillar up front.

For a team that lost its most experienced players and strongest leaders up front, Thuney’s signing in the offseason was perhaps the most overlooked and underappreciated move by the Chiefs. His presence has changed everything along the line and has allowed the unit to gel quicker than expected. He’s a professional in every way and the Chiefs are very fortunate to have him.