We’ve now learned that the Patriots wanted to bring the All-Pro guard back to New England.
According to a report published by Nick Goss of NBC Sports Boston on Thursday, another team was interested in trading for the Kansas City Chiefs’ left guard Joe Thuney: the New England Patriots.
The MMQB’s Albert Breer said Wednesday on NBC Sports Boston’s Boston Sports Tonight that the Patriots called the Chiefs about a potential Thuney trade but weren’t willing to meet the asking price.
“They talked to the Chiefs about Joe Thuney, obviously they wouldn’t meet their price, which seems a little crazy given their offensive line issues, and the fact that this is a future fourth-round pick,” Breer said.
“I would have some questions if it was this year’s fourth-round pick because they’ve only got eight picks and a ton of roster needs to take care of and they need to draft well, and need that margin for error.
“But I am a little surprised they weren’t willing to go to that price.”
On Wednesday, Thuney was traded to the Chicago Bears in exchange for their fourth-round pick in 2026. The All-Pro left guard spent the first five seasons of his career with the Patriots, who drafted him in the third round of the 2016 NFL Draft.
Mike Vrabel — who played for both New England and Kansas City during a 14-year NFL career — is preparing for his first season as the Patriots’ head coach.
Even if it was just for one year, adding an All-Pro caliber guard for the cost of a future fourth-rounder should have been an easy move for the Patriots to make. And it’s not like money is an issue for the Patriots; they have the most salary cap space of any team by far.
The Patriots can still make significant upgrades to their offensive line through the draft and free agency, but this Thuney situation should have been a layup.
It’s worth noting that the Chiefs might have preferred to deal Thuney to the NFC’s Bears, rather than to another AFC team.
