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The departure of Joe Thuney leaves a gaping hole in the Kansas City Chiefs' offensive line, one that can't be ignored if they want to keep Patrick Mahomes upright. Now, with Thuney moving on, the Chiefs need to act fast to find a replacement before their offense takes a major hit.
Kansas City isn't the kind of franchise to sit back and wait for solutions to fall into place. With Mahomes at quarterback, time is of the essence, and General Manager Brett Veach is already scanning the market for potential replacements. One name that stands out immediately is that of Shaq Mason.
A proven winner
It didn't take long for Shaq Mason's name to surface as a top target. The two-time Super Bowl champion was recently released by the Houston Texans, making him one of the best available offensive linemen in free agency.
With 152 career starts across three teams, Mason brings experience, durability, and a winning mentality, all things the Chiefs value highly. On Friday, NFL insider Jordan Schultz reported the surprising release.
"The #Texans have informed starting G Shaq Mason that he is being released. He started 15 games this past season," Schultz noted.
Mason was set to earn $10 million in 2025 and another $10.4 million in 2026, but Houston opted to cut ties and clear cap space instead. Their decision could be Kansas City's gain if Veach moves quickly.
But Mason isn't the only option on the table. Reports suggest that the Chiefs may be looking at another veteran offensive lineman-one with strong ties to Baltimore's success.
According to The Athletic, the Chiefs are also considering g left tackle Ronnie Stanley, a nine-year veteran who has been a key protector for Lamar Jackson in Baltimore. If there's one tackle who understands the importance of blocking for a mobile quarterback, it's Stanley.
Stanley finally put together a full season in 2024, something he hadn't done in years due to lingering injuries. He allowed only two sacks in 2024, proving that, when healthy, he's still an elite protector.