Patrick Mahomes will be getting some much-needed help on that offensive line. After cutting both starting tackles, the Kansas City Chiefs have signed guard Joe Thuney to a massive five-year deal worth $80 million, per Adam Schefter.
Joe Thuney has been the definition of consistent and has always been available for the Patriots, as he has played in every game since entering the NFL in 2016. The former third round pick out of North Carolina State won two Super Bowls with the New England Patriots and was a second team All-Pro in 2019. Now, time to get into the details of the contract.
According to Adam Schefter, Thuney’s deal includes the first two years being fully guaranteed at $32.5 million. The third year is injury guaranteed, but becomes fully guaranteed in the second year. NFL salaries can have three reasons for being guaranteed. Those are, injury, cap, and skill. Money that is fully guaranteed is guaranteed for all three reasons.
Guaranteed for skill means if a player’s skill drops off sharply from the time when the team signed him, that money is guaranteed.
Guaranteed for cap means that if a team needs to cut a player to get out of a dangerous cap situation, the guarantees do not void.
Guaranteed for injury is the simplest, if a player gets a football-related injury and cannot pass a physical, the team still owes the player their guaranteed money.
The Kansas City Chiefs cut both their starting tackles and are expected to let their starting center walk in free agency. Signing Joe Thuney gives them some much need skill on the offensive line and can help give Patrick Mahomes some peace of mind going into next season. At least they improved their guard position.
