Joe Thuney’s departure was a devastating blow to the Kansas City Chiefs’ already fragile offensive line. However, Patrick Mahomes can breathe a sigh of relief, as Jaylon Moore, who replaces the star left guard, is determined to fight for his quarterback.
After a season in which the Chiefs allowed 36 sacks, they couldn’t afford to lose one of their best players in the trenches. When fans and analysts learned of Thuney’s trade to the Chicago Bears, they swiftly criticized Clark Hunt’s front office.
The backlash continued when the team announced the signing of Moore, a second-stringer who started only 12 games with the San Francisco 49ers. However, the four-year veteran dismissed the criticism, asserting he is ready to prove his detractors wrong.
“The tape doesn’t lie,” Says Moore
In statements to international media, the North Carolina State product expressed his readiness to justify the trust the Chiefs placed in him when they offered him a two-year, $30 million contract.
“The tape doesn’t lie. I know it’s a small sample size, but I just go out there and play,” Moore stated. “They see something in me, so I’m excited to go ballistic for this team,” he emphasized, bringing relief to Mahomes and the running back room.
While Moore played only 144 snaps with the 49ers last season, he allowed just nine pressures and one sack during that span. Over his career, the left tackle has successfully faced defenders like Rashan Gary, Greg Rousseau, and Defensive Rookie of the Year Jared Verse.
Can Moore handle the pressure?
Last season, the Chiefs struggled to fill the void at left tackle. Rookie Kingsley Sumataia, Wanya Morris, and veteran D.J. Humphries failed to protect Mahomes adequately. Ultimately, Thuney stepped in and performed the best, despite his primary position being left guard.
If the Chiefs choose not to select a tackle in the 2025 NFL Draft, Moore will likely secure the starting role. Now, it remains to be seen if the team made the right decision. Should they fail to protect Mahomes, their hopes of playing in a fourth consecutive Super Bowl could vanish.
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