New England Patriots: 4 reasons trading Joe Thuney is a bad idea

Does a trade of Guard Joe Thuney make sense for the New England Patriots?

A rumored possible trade of Guard Joe Thuney by the New England Patriots to the Philadelphia Eagles was reported on.

The trade would have great reverberations for the Patriots. Let’s take a look at a few of them and then I’ll give you my opinion on whether it’s a good idea.

First, the trade would weaken the team’s most important asset, their offensive line.

I’ve written that the offensive line is the second most important component of a team after the quarterback. I’m solid on that viewpoint. They are the cog that after the No. 1 guy makes it all work.

But in the case of the 2020 New England Patriots, I would make the argument that they likely are THE most important component, their excellent defense notwithstanding.

Why may that be the case? Well, the most important single component of any NFL team is the quarterback. Without a top quarterback, you are unlikely to be good enough to win a Super Bowl. But it has happened.

Maybe an RPO guy could break down defenses on his own, but that strategy is risky and he’s prone to injury if overused as a runner.

But with the departure of Tom Brady and the uncertainty at quarterback, the offensive line is the No. 1 position-grouping for the New England Patriots. Even a top QB who has no time to pass will have a difficult time moving an offense.

Absent a top or even a good offensive line, very little is possible even with that great quarterback. Without a top quarterback, and some New England fans see no certainty that they have one, the O-line is that much more important.

A less than stellar quarterback will be hard-pressed to do much without time to pass that O-line will give him. In addition, without a top O-line, a structured running game is not going to be doable.

So, in light of those facts, trading away a key member of the O-line may not make much sense.