Andy Reid has fixed plenty of problems in his time with the Kansas City Chiefs, but one has plagued him all year long.
All year long, the Kansas City Chiefs experience has worked like a Marvel movie. In almost every outing, there has been a moment of drama, but the Chiefs have found a way to win in the end. When they did lose, just one time, they fixed it in their next appearance.
On Christmas, the Chiefs faced the Pittsburgh Steelers and a defense that, despite failing to win a playoff game with TJ Watt, is still perennially ranked favorably.
Some fans cautiously picked the Steelers to win after taking into account that Wilson’s last outing against Mahomes was a resounding success. Of course, everyone woke up on December 26 knowing what really took place. One analyst explained how the Chiefs were able to pull it off with one change.
Andy Reid figures out solution
Speaking on a December 26 edition of “Get Up,” NFL analyst Andrew Hawkins claimed left tackle has been trouble for Patrick Mahomes all year. Moving their lineman seemed to fix the issue.
“They’ve shored up their offensive line. They’ve moved Thuney out to left tackle. That’s been a problem area for them all season.
“And we’ve talked about the issues and how we’ve never felt truly great about where the chiefs are. The reality is they won 15 games and it’s that point in the season, just like Christmas comes every year. We get to this point where our eyes have just been refocused and we’re like, wait a minute, the Chiefs are who is exactly who we think they are,” he said.
Thuney had been working as a guard near the center of the team’s offense. Some have claimed that kicking out an offensive lineman to a different spot is easier said than done, but Thuney appears to have delivered thus far.
Exploring new-look Chiefs offensive line
The need for the change was DJ Humphries at left tackle. He had been struggling earlier this year and now is battling an injury that knocked him out of the lineup for the Christmas showdown against Russell Wilson. Insert Joe Thuney, who had been working as an offensive guard.
Joe Thuney currently is riding high, holding down a 79.7 PFF grade. As the team’s current left tackle, he will be tasked with keeping Mahomes’ blind side clear for the foreseeable future. In his vacated position, the Chiefs have chosen to use backup Mike Caliendo.
Caliendo has struggled this year, earning a 47.1 PFF grade, ranking 114 out of 129 players at the position. Still, guards usually get more support than any other lineman position, so the Chiefs blocking assignment choices seemingly might be able to mask him going forward.
Center Creed Humphrey continues to hold down the snapping and blocking duties. On the right side, the Chiefs have Trey Smith and Jawaan Taylor.
Of course, with the Chiefs reshuffling their line, defenses will adjust in turn.
