Last week, the **Kansas City Chiefs** made a surprising move by trading veteran guard **Joe Thuney**, a two-time first-team All-Pro, to the **Chicago Bears** in exchange for a **2026 fourth-round draft pick**. The trade freed up **$16 million in salary-cap space**, a necessary step as the Chiefs navigate financial constraints ahead of the new league year.
Chiefs head coach **Andy Reid** recently discussed the trade on **“The Bettor Angle” podcast**, expressing mixed emotions about losing Thuney, whom he called “one of my favorite all-time guys.”
“He’s just a good dude — tough, dirty tough,” Reid said. “He’s going to do Chicago a heck of a job. He still can play.”
Reid acknowledged that salary-cap management played a significant role in the decision. The Chiefs are currently **over $30 million above the cap** after several moves, including signing guard **Trey Smith** to a **$23.4 million franchise tag tender** and guaranteeing **$21.2 million** on a two-year deal for tackle **Jaylon Moore**.
“You’ve got to manage this cap thing — and it’s a nightmare,” Reid explained. “Sometimes, you have to make these decisions, and it just kicks you right in the butt. They’re tough ones.”
Despite the risk, Reid expressed confidence in the team’s ability to fill Thuney’s void, pointing to second-year pro **Kingsley Suamataia** and **Mike Caliendo**, who started at left guard late in the season and during the playoffs.
“We’re lucky to have some guys that we feel like can step in and play that position,” Reid said. “You’ve got to take whatever risk there is and say, ‘Hey, we’ve done some things in the draft to make sure we can keep this winning thing going.’”
Reid also hinted that Thuney’s desire to join the Bears factored into the decision, calling it a move to a place “he really wanted to come to.” As the Chiefs prepare for the upcoming season, the trade underscores the challenging balance between maintaining a competitive roster and managing the salary cap.
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