Nov 17, 2024; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid on the sidelines during a game against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-Imagn Images / Mark Konezny-Imagn Images
Left tackle is the most important position on the offensive line because they protect the quarterbacks’ blindside. Unfortunately, the Kansas City Chiefs have struggled to get high-level play out of that position this season.
Both rookie Kingsley Suamataia and Wanya Morris have created multiple negative plays this season. According to PFF, Morris has allowed three sacks and been penalized seven times in eight starts.
On the other hand, Suamataia has also allowed three sacks and been penalized in limited appearances this season, including two starts and a brief stint filling in for an injured Morris.
Both players struggles have made Patrick Mahomes more uncomfortable in the pocket this season. Mahomes’s discomfort could be a cause for his increased number of interceptions too.
Joe Thuney “Comfortable” Playing Left Tackle if Necessary
Left guard Joe Thuney talked to the media on Thursday about the potential of him moving to left tackle. Thuney said, “he’s comfortable kicking out to play tackle if the team needs him to in an emergency.”
#Chiefs LG Joe Thuney says he's comfortable kicking out to play tackle if the team needs him to in an emergency. Says there's a lot more space and you're playing different types of players at tackle, so you just have to go back to the fundamentals when you're making that type of…
— Charles Goldman (@goldmctNFL) November 21, 2024
While Thuney’s comments are good to hear, hopefully, the team won’t need him to kick out to left tackle. If the Chiefs end up needing Thuney to kick out to tackle, that’s the worst-case scenario.
Thuney moving outside would weaken a strong interior offensive line, which is arguably worse than struggling at tackle. Being weaker at left guard makes it easier for opponents to collapse the pocket, making it harder to keep plays alive.
Although Mahomes is the best quarterback in the NFL, even he can’t handle constant pressure up the middle. At the end of the day, a move to left tackle is very unlikely for Thuney, but it does seem to be an option.
