The Baltimore Ravens need to hope the dynastic Kansas City Chiefs can step on a rake and hit themselves in the face in the style of Sideshow Bob, as any team with Patrick Mahomes under center will be competitive every year. One such unforced error could be the trade of Joe Thuney.
Thuney, who established himself as arguably the best left guard in football, was traded to the Chicago Bears this offseason. Caleb Williams' new protector has already agreed to a contract that will keep him in the Windy City for the foreseeable future.
Thuney has agreed to a two-year, $35 million contract extension that will keep in as a member of the Bears for the next few seasons. One has to wonder what was preventing Kansas City from giving him this very same deal when they, Buffalo and Baltimore are in a three-way battle royale for the AFC title once again.
In an offseason where the Chiefs agreed to pay right guard Trey Smith $23 million in AAV, giving Thunder that contract may have been the better move from both a competitive and financial point of view for this offense. The Ravens should take advantage.
Ravens can laugh at Chiefs after Joe Thuney trade, extension
Smith is one of the best right guards in the league, but Thuney's pass protection skill puts him to shame. The only thing Smith assuredly has on Thuney, who will turn 33 this season, is youth. As the Eagles showed, however, Kansas City's offensive line is not what it used to be.
With Thuney gone, the Chiefs will rely on a completely remade left side of their offensive line. First-round pick Josh Simmons has talent, but he missed time due to injury. Offseason signing Jaylon Moore has never been a full-time starter, and Kingsley Suamataia will learn a new position after struggling at tackle as a rookie.
Baltimore could stand to add one more playmaker to their defensive line, but their unit has enough pass rush star power between Odafe Oweh, Kyle Van Noy, and rookie Mike Green to give Kansas City some serious problems when these two teams meet again in 2025.
It may end up taking one or two games for the Ravens to beat up on Mahomes and for the Chiefs to regret this move.