Chicago, IL – April 9, 2025
Joe Thuney isn’t holding back. The four-time Super Bowl champ, traded from the Kansas City Chiefs to the Chicago Bears last month, unleashed a scathing rebuke of Chiefs GM Brett Veach on Tuesday, sources told ESPN. The blockbuster move—swapping Thuney for a 2026 fourth-round pick—has Chiefs Kingdom reeling, and now Thuney’s breaking his silence with fire.
“I gave everything to KC—four years, two rings—and Veach ships me out for peanuts?” Thuney vented to reporters post-practice, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter. The All-Pro guard, who anchored KC’s line at left tackle in Super Bowl LIX despite a 40-22 loss to the Eagles, felt blindsided. “No heads-up, no respect—just a call saying I’m gone.”
The trade, finalized March 12, saved KC $16 million in cap space (Spotrac), prioritizing youth with Trey Smith’s franchise tag over Thuney’s $27 million 2025 hit. Veach called it a “long-term play,” but Thuney’s not buying it. “They chose cap over loyalty—I was team MVP, not a liability,” he snapped, referencing his Derrick Thomas Award win.
Chiefs fans are split on X: “Veach botched this—Thuney’s a legend!” one tweeted, while another shrugged, “Had to keep Smith—Joe’s 32.” Thuney’s 98.2% pass-block win rate in 2024 (ESPN Research) fueled KC’s run, but Veach leaned on Kingsley Suamataia as a cheaper fix.
In Chicago, Thuney’s a Bear on a mission. “Caleb Williams deserves better than I got—Veach doesn’t get that,” he said, nodding to Williams’ 68 sacks in 2024. With Jonah Jackson also traded in, GM Ryan Poles is fortifying the line—Thuney’s $16 million deal fits their $79 million cap (NFLPA).
Kingdom’s loss is Chicago’s gain, but Thuney’s parting shot stings: “Good luck winning without me, Brett.” As OTAs loom, Chiefs fans brace for a new-look line—and a bitter farewell.
