Reported NFL Blockbuster Trade Throws Wrench In Patriots’ Plans

The New England Patriots’ path toward upgrading their offensive line just got a bit more difficult.

Kansas City Chiefs general manager Brett Veach made the tough decision to part ways with Joe Thuney on Wednesday, shipping him to the Chicago Bears for a future fourth-round pick, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Veach’s decision certainly was bold, but necessary given the boot-to-ass performance put on by the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LIX.

Thuney was forced to play left tackle in that game given the issues his team was facing at the position, and he looked exactly how you’d expect a guy playing out of position to look against an all-time defensive front. The Chiefs realized they needed to make a serious push for a cornerstone tackle, and they wouldn’t have been able to do it without trading the four-time All-Pro guard since they already roster the two highest-paid interior offensive linemen at their position (guard Trey Smith and center Creed Humphrey) in the NFL.

That’s where New England comes into play.

Kansas City just happens to be a bit more desirable of a landing spot for pending free agents — and now has roughly $34 million in cap space. Ronnie Stanley, Cam Robinson and Dan Moore wouldn’t think twice if forced to choose between playing at Arrowhead Stadium or Gillette Stadium — sorry.

The Patriots need more than just a tackle, though, so this move isn’t all bad.

The Bears have now traded for both Thuney and Jonah Jackson, which essentially takes them off the board when it comes to adding at that position. Teven Jenkins also now is more likely to depart via free agency.

Jenkins, Mekhi Becton, Will Fries, James Daniels, Drew Dalman and Brandon Scherff combine to create one of the deeper free-agent classes along the interior offensive line that we’ve seen, and there’s an argument to be made that even just one would provide a necessary upgrade for New England.

It’s still not going to be easy, though. What else would you expect with the Patriots?