On Thursday, an article grading each NFL team's offseason was published by a notable sports analyst. The Kansas City Chiefs received a passing grade, but it's important to mention that only one team scored lower than them, with a total of 11 teams receiving even poorer evaluations.

Kansas City Chiefs: B-

Biggest move: Trading G Joe Thuney to the Bears
Move I liked: Signing QB Gardner Minshew
Move I disliked: Signing OT Jaylon Moore

After a Super Bowl loss attributed partly to struggles within the offensive line, Kansas City made a notable decision to trade Thuney, one of their top linemen. While some may find this surprising, it does have a logical foundation. Thuney, at 32 years old, isn't exactly past his prime given that linemen can have longevity in their careers, but he's not in the younger category either and was entering the last year of his contract.

The Chiefs faced difficult choices and decided to prioritize the younger 26-year-old Trey Smith, who although not as proficient as Thuney, is a solid guard. This choice is part of a longer-term strategy. Smith received the franchise tag, albeit with the price set at tackle levels rather than guard levels, resulting in a higher cost than anticipated. However, Kansas City has the potential to negotiate a lengthy contract with Smith before the upcoming Tuesday deadline.

The more pressing query, however, became the left tackle position. Last season's assortment of Wanya Morris, Kingsley Suamataia, D.J. Humphries, and a displaced Thuney didn’t yield the desired results, and Kansas City needed to address this critical position.

Ideally, Ronnie Stanley would have been a top choice. Unfortunately, he signed with another team before free agency commenced. The Chiefs turned their attention to former 49ers backup Jaylon Moore, offering him a contract worth $15 million per year, which includes $21 million fully guaranteed. Many see this as a gamble since Moore lacked starting experience—being stuck behind 11-time Pro Bowler Trent Williams—and metrics indicated that he struggled when previously on the field. His career pass block win rate sits at 83%, and this dropped to 81% last season, which would rank among the lower levels at the tackle position if he had qualified.

However, Kansas City didn't purely depend on Moore. Utilizing their No. 32 pick, they selected Josh Simmons, who may compete for the starting role. There’s a chance that either Moore, Simmons, or Suamataia might rise to the occasion, yet the likelihood remains that the tackle position could once again be a vulnerability, as many first-year tackles tend to take time to adjust.

Additionally, Kansas City brought in cornerback Kristian Fulton on a $10 million-per-year contract. This acquisition supports Trent McDuffie, as the performance of cornerbacks can vary greatly from season to season. Fulton demonstrated commendable capabilities with the Titans during the last season.

One of the most remarkable value plays was the signing of Gardner Minshew for a one-year deal valued at $1.2 million. Given the significant role a backup quarterback can play, securing Minshew—who previously earned $15 million last season—at this price is an exceptional arrangement.

My Take

While I concur with the assessment that trading Thuney caught many by surprise, the rationale shines through upon further reflection. This decision highlights the strategic thinking of Kansas City’s general manager, who possesses the ability to conjure such innovative ideas and has the bravery to implement them.

Contrarily, I do not agree with the notion that Ronnie Stanley was the ideal choice for left tackle. Why create cap space by trading a 32-year-old guard only to invest that very space into a 31-year-old left tackle who has faced injury issues in recent seasons? While acquiring Moore for $15 million poses its own risks, pursuing Stanley for a long-term deal would have introduced even more significant uncertainties. Moore’s addition provides a cushion against the potential challenges of a first-round tackle selection and serves as a reliable alternate if Jawaan Taylor moves on down the road.

My stance remains firm: investing heavily in a player like Stanley (or Dan Moore) for the left tackle position was a gamble the Chiefs could not afford. Opting for Jaylon Moore at a more modest figure is precisely the prudent path to take, particularly if they were unable to secure Simmons in the draft or if he required time to acclimatize or develop.

This approach seems more favorable for Kansas City than how it’s portrayed, leading me to believe that a higher offseason grade may have been more appropriate given their decisions.