The Kansas City Chiefs are no strangers to playoff drama, but as they prepare for another Super Bowl run, one question looms larger than any other: Who will line up at left tackle to protect Patrick Mahomes?
Despite their stellar 15-2 regular-season record and earning the AFC’s top seed, the Chiefs’ Achilles heel has been their tackle play. For a team that prides itself on offensive excellence, inconsistency at one of football’s most critical positions could spell trouble against the NFL’s top pass rushers in the playoffs.
The Season-Long Struggle at Tackle
Kansas City’s offensive line is anchored by an elite interior trio of Joe Thuney, Creed Humphrey, and Trey Smith. However, the tackle spots—particularly at left tackle—have been a revolving door. Injuries, underperformance, and a constant shuffle of personnel have left Mahomes scrambling more often than the Chiefs would like.
By Week 14, Kansas City had allowed a staggering 62 quarterback hits, more than any other team in the league at that point. For a quarterback like Mahomes, whose creativity often depends on extending plays, shaky tackle protection isn’t just a stat—it’s a potential playoff liability.
Joe Thuney: The Emergency Fix
Enter Joe Thuney, a natural guard with All-Pro credentials. In a bold late-season move, head coach Andy Reid shifted Thuney to left tackle, filling the void left by injuries and inconsistent play. The results were immediate and promising. Over the final three meaningful regular-season games, the Chiefs allowed just one sack while Mahomes was hit only six times. This newfound stability helped the Chiefs clinch the AFC’s No. 1 seed.
Thuney’s transition has been a band-aid solution, but it raises a critical question: Should the Chiefs stick with Thuney at tackle in the playoffs, or move him back to his natural position to bolster the interior?
The Humphries Dilemma
The alternative to Thuney at left tackle is D.J. Humphries, a veteran tackle who joined the Chiefs midseason. Humphries started in Week 18, but his performance was a mixed bag. While he showcased flashes of solid protection, inconsistencies and a hamstring issue earlier in the season make him a risky choice for the high-stakes playoff environment.
The decision becomes even more challenging when considering the dominant chemistry Thuney shares with Humphrey and Smith on the interior. Shifting Thuney back inside would restore the league’s best interior line, but it would also force the Chiefs to gamble on Humphries’ ability to hold up at left tackle.
Andy Reid’s Calculated Decision
Reid and offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy must weigh the risks and rewards of each option:
- Keep Thuney at Tackle: This provides a proven solution for protecting Mahomes’ blind side, but it weakens the interior run game and pocket integrity, especially against teams with dominant defensive tackles like the Bengals or Eagles.
- Move Thuney Back Inside: This fortifies the interior line and bolsters the run game but leaves Humphries to fend off elite edge rushers in one-on-one situations.
Playoff Stakes
The Chiefs’ playoff success hinges on Mahomes staying upright and having the time to work his magic. The decision about who protects his blind side could determine how far Kansas City goes in the postseason. With a potential matchup against a team like the Cincinnati Bengals, who have been kryptonite to the Chiefs in recent years, Reid and Bieniemy need to make the right call.
Verdict
As it stands, keeping Joe Thuney at left tackle appears to be the safer bet. His performance at the position has been solid, and the Chiefs can’t afford to introduce uncertainty during the playoffs. However, this decision might come at a cost in the run game and interior pass protection.
Ultimately, this dilemma underscores just how important offensive line continuity is in the NFL. If the Chiefs solve their tackle issue and Mahomes gets the protection he needs, Kansas City will be a force to be reckoned with in the postseason.
