Protecting Patrick Mahomes is the primary function of the Kansas City Chiefs offensive line, and one member of the team’s starters up-front has excelled at keeping the reigning MVP clean in the pocket in recent weeks.
Veteran lineman Joe Thuney has been one of the NFL’s best blockers in pass protection since Week 12, earning an 88.2 grade when pass blocking, which ranks as the third-best mark among all offensive linemen over that stretch.
Joe Thuney: 88.2 pass-blocking grade since week 12
He ranks third among all offensive linemen over that span đź’Ş pic.twitter.com/vpoRhbdKDn
— PFF KC Chiefs (@PFF_Chiefs) December 21, 2023
Thuney’s presence in the middle of Kansas City’s line has been a boon for the Chiefs as the team has clawed its way to a nine-win campaign in 2023 through 14 games. His ability to keep the league’s best pass rushers at bay is an underrated asset for Mahomes and Andy Reid, and while he isn’t often mentioned as one of Kansas City’s star players, Thuney is an indispensable part of the Chiefs’ offensive attack.
Expect the veteran guard to have his hands full against the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 16 when Kansas City plays its bitter divisional rival on Christmas day.