The secret to the Kansas City Chiefs’ success stretches beyond their marquee talent who are often publicized for their incredible exploits. A significant shift in recent years has been due to the Chiefs’ decision to fortify their offensive line to better protect quarterback Patrick Mahomes.
Kansas City made a statement when they signed veteran guard Joe Thuney before the 2021 season. The investment in the offensive line gave Mahomes more time to operate and play his game, while a Pro Bowl guard with prior championship experience could show younger players the right way to get things done. Thuney gave insight on how he describes blocking for Mahomes during Friday’s post-practice press conference.
“I think [you have to] just play through the echo of the whistle,” Thuney explained. “It’s you never know what’s going to happen back there. When you’re blocking, and Pat’s [Patrick Mahomes] got the ball, he can make a lot of great plays happen and just, straight through the echo the whistle straight through it all and, you know, try and play with great technique and effort.”
Thuney has significantly adjusted his blocking techniques transitioning from the pocket passing style of Tom Brady to the improvisation of Patrick Mahomes. He has shown that veteran savvy to find the winning formula with two game-changing quarterbacks and is influencing the younger offensive linemen on the roster.
