Chiefs’ GM Brett Veach Regrets Joe Thuney to Bears Trade?

Kansas City, MO – March 16, 2025
Kansas City Chiefs general manager Brett Veach has long been praised for his bold roster moves, but his recent reflection on trading All-Pro guard Joe Thuney to the Chicago Bears has sparked questions. In a press conference this week, Veach addressed the deal that sent Thuney packing for a 2026 fourth-round pick—a move that freed up $16 million in 2025 cap space but left fans and analysts wondering if the Chiefs’ architect might be second-guessing himself.

A Costly Departure

The Chiefs traded Thuney, a cornerstone of their offensive line since 2021, to the Bears earlier this month as part of a cap-clearing effort following a Super Bowl LIX loss to the Eagles. Thuney, 32, brought two Super Bowl titles and two First-Team All-Pro nods to Kansas City, anchoring a line that protected Patrick Mahomes through three championship runs. But with a $27 million cap hit looming in 2025, Veach opted to move on, betting on younger options like Wanya Morris and the franchise-tagged Trey Smith ($23.4 million).

“I don’t love letting go of a player like Joe,” Veach admitted to reporters, per ESPN’s Adam Teicher. “He was a rock for us, and you don’t replace that overnight. If I could rewind and keep him without breaking the bank, I’d think hard about it.” Unlike his staunch defense of the 2022 Kadarius Toney trade—where he famously said he’d “do it all over again in a heartbeat” for its Super Bowl LVII impact—Veach’s tone on Thuney carried a hint of regret.

A Mixed Legacy

Thuney’s exit wasn’t without merit. The trade gave the Chiefs breathing room after restructures for Mahomes and Chris Jones unlocked $49.4 million in cap space (ESPN). It paved the way for signings like Jerry Tillery and Kristian Fulton, keeping the roster competitive. Yet, Mahomes took six sacks in the Super Bowl LIX loss—a glaring sign of a weakened line that Thuney once fortified. Wanya Morris, 24, has shown promise but lacks the veteran’s polish, posting a PFF grade of 68.4 in 2024 compared to Thuney’s 85.1.

“We knew it’d hurt short-term,” Veach said. “Joe’s a rare talent—smart, tough, a leader. But we’re building for five to seven years of contention, and that cap hit was a hurdle.” Still, his pause when asked if he’d redo the trade spoke volumes. “Hindsight’s tough,” he added. “You don’t know until the season plays out.”