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Yahoo
6 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Falcons' Chris Lindstrom voted top interior offensive lineman by AP
Chris Lindstrom has spent much of his six-year career under the radar playing for an Atlanta team that hasn't made the postseason since 2017. But Lindstrom's play deserves much more attention as his ability to create holes in the run game and protect the passer is a key part to Atlanta's offensive production. Lindstrom has been the top-graded guard by Pro Football Focus for three straight seasons and has won the honor of being voted the top interior offensive lineman in the league by The Associated Press. A panel of eight AP Pro Football Writers ranked the top five players among guards and centers, basing selections on current status entering the 2025 season. First-place votes were worth 10 points. Second through fifth-place votes were worth 5, 3, 2 and 1 points. Lindstrom got three first place-votes, two seconds and one third to beat out Joe Thuney for the top spot. Thuney, who was traded from Kansas City to Chicago this offseason, got two first-place votes, one second, three thirds and one fourth to finish second. Kansas City center Creed Humphrey got two first-place votes and finished third and Denver's Quinn Meinerz got the other first-place vote and came in fourth. Indianapolis' Quenton Nelson rounded out the top five. Baltimore Tyler Linderbaum, Philadelphia's Landon Dickerson and Cam Jurgens, Baltimore's Daniel Faalele and recently retired former Detroit center Frank Ragnow also received votes. 1. CHRIS LINDSTROM, Atlanta Falcons Lindstrom has allowed just three sacks and 37 pressures on true pass sets the past three seasons, according to PFF, and has been a steady presence on Atlanta's offense. But Lindstrom really shines at run blocking when his ability to get in space on zone runs has helped fuel Bijan Robinson's success. 2. JOE THUNEY, Chicago Bears Thuney has been one of the top guards in the league ever since being drafted by New England in 2016. He has been a first-team All-Pro the past two seasons in Kansas City and helped the Chiefs and Patriots reach the Super Bowl six times in his nine seasons. Thuney was forced to move out to tackle late last season for Kansas City, but will be back at guard as a key piece in Chicago following on offseason trade. 3. CREED HUMPHREY, Kansas City Chiefs The Chiefs were willing to part with Thuney in part because they were strong at the other interior spots led by Humphrey at center. Humphrey has taken the mantle from Jason Kelce as the top center in the league and made first-team All-Pro for the first time last season. Humphrey hasn't missed a game in four seasons and excels at both run and pass blocking. 4. QUINN MEINERZ, Denver Broncos After being drafted in the third round from Division III Wisconsin-Whitewater in 2021, Meinerz has made steady progress each season and earned first-team All-Pro honors in 2024 to get on this list. Meinerz allowed just 12 pressures last season, according to PFF, and is a violent blocker in the run game. 5. QUENTON NELSON, Indianapolis Colts Nelson's play has dropped a little in recent years but the 29-year-old is still one of the top guards in the league. He was an All-Pro his first three seasons after being drafted sixth overall in 2018 and earned second-team All-Pro honors for the second time in his career last season. Nelson has made the Pro Bowl all seven seasons. ___ AP NFL: Josh Dubow, The Associated Press
Associated Press
6 days ago
- Sport
- Associated Press
Falcons' Chris Lindstrom voted top interior offensive lineman by AP
Chris Lindstrom has spent much of his six-year career under the radar playing for an Atlanta team that hasn't made the postseason since 2017. But Lindstrom's play deserves much more attention as his ability to create holes in the run game and protect the passer is a key part to Atlanta's offensive production. Lindstrom has been the top-graded guard by Pro Football Focus for three straight seasons and has won the honor of being voted the top interior offensive lineman in the league by The Associated Press. A panel of eight AP Pro Football Writers ranked the top five players among guards and centers, basing selections on current status entering the 2025 season. First-place votes were worth 10 points. Second through fifth-place votes were worth 5, 3, 2 and 1 points. Lindstrom got three first place-votes, two seconds and one third to beat out Joe Thuney for the top spot. Thuney, who was traded from Kansas City to Chicago this offseason, got two first-place votes, one second, three thirds and one fourth to finish second. Kansas City center Creed Humphrey got two first-place votes and finished third and Denver's Quinn Meinerz got the other first-place vote and came in fourth. Indianapolis' Quenton Nelson rounded out the top five. Baltimore Tyler Linderbaum, Philadelphia's Landon Dickerson and Cam Jurgens, Baltimore's Daniel Faalele and recently retired former Detroit center Frank Ragnow also received votes. 1. CHRIS LINDSTROM, Atlanta Falcons Lindstrom has allowed just three sacks and 37 pressures on true pass sets the past three seasons, according to PFF, and has been a steady presence on Atlanta's offense. But Lindstrom really shines at run blocking when his ability to get in space on zone runs has helped fuel Bijan Robinson's success. 2. JOE THUNEY, Chicago Bears Thuney has been one of the top guards in the league ever since being drafted by New England in 2016. He has been a first-team All-Pro the past two seasons in Kansas City and helped the Chiefs and Patriots reach the Super Bowl six times in his nine seasons. Thuney was forced to move out to tackle late last season for Kansas City, but will be back at guard as a key piece in Chicago following on offseason trade. 3. CREED HUMPHREY, Kansas City Chiefs The Chiefs were willing to part with Thuney in part because they were strong at the other interior spots led by Humphrey at center. Humphrey has taken the mantle from Jason Kelce as the top center in the league and made first-team All-Pro for the first time last season. Humphrey hasn't missed a game in four seasons and excels at both run and pass blocking. 4. QUINN MEINERZ, Denver Broncos After being drafted in the third round from Division III Wisconsin-Whitewater in 2021, Meinerz has made steady progress each season and earned first-team All-Pro honors in 2024 to get on this list. Meinerz allowed just 12 pressures last season, according to PFF, and is a violent blocker in the run game. 5. QUENTON NELSON, Indianapolis Colts Nelson's play has dropped a little in recent years but the 29-year-old is still one of the top guards in the league. He was an All-Pro his first three seasons after being drafted sixth overall in 2018 and earned second-team All-Pro honors for the second time in his career last season. Nelson has made the Pro Bowl all seven seasons. ___ AP NFL:
Yahoo
30-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Bears' Joe Thuney, Jonah Jackson dubbed NFL's best guard duo
The Chicago Bears made a concerted effort to improve their offensive line this offseason after quarterback Caleb Williams was sacked a league-high 68 times during his rookie season. The Bears completely overhauled the interior, which started with the trades for All-Pro guard Joe Thuney and former Pro Bowl guard Jonah Jackson. They signed center Drew Dalman in free agency while drafting Ozzy Trapilo, who's a contender to start at left tackle as a rookie. Advertisement But it's the duo of Thuney and Jackson that's garnering high praise from those around the league, where Pro Football Focus dubbed the pair the NFL's best guard duo entering the 2025 season. While there's no denying Thuney is one of the league's best, PFF believes Jackson could find his stride, as he's reunited with Ben Johnson in Chicago, and make this 1-2 punch the most formidable. "The NFL seems to lack an elite guard duo right now, but the Bears' offseason acquisitions on the interior profile as the league's best," writes Buday. "Jackson played only 267 snaps with the Rams in 2024 and was benched despite having signed a big contract last offseason. In previous years, he ranked among the top 30 guards in PFF overall grade multiple times under then-Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, who is now the Chicago Bears' head coach. Slightly above-average play from Jackson could be enough to make this duo the best in the NFL. "Joe Thuney is arguably the best pass-blocking guard in the NFL. Before moving to left tackle in 2024, he was playing some of the best football of his career. Between Week 5 and Week 12, he allowed only one pressure on 316 pass plays and earned a 95.6 PFF pass-blocking grade, which led all guards by a significant margin." Thuney is a two-time First-Team All-Pro, three-time Pro Bowler and four-time Super Bowl winner and one of the best guards in the entire NFL. Thuney's an elite pass blocker and has been the best pass-blocking guard, per Pro Football Focus, since 2021 with a 90.2 grade. Jackson, a Pro Bowl selection in 2021, is a versatile offensive lineman who has played all three positions along the interior and brings experience alongside right tackle Darnell Wright. Advertisement If the Bears offensive line shows improvement this season, the sky's the limit for this offense with Williams under center and Johnson calling the shots on offense. Follow Bears Wire on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Bears' Joe Thuney, Jonah Jackson dubbed NFL's best guard duo
Yahoo
27-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Chiefs Urged To Sign $23.4 Million Star To Complete Offseason
Chiefs Urged To Sign $23.4 Million Star To Complete Offseason originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Kansas City Chiefs have already seen their offensive line be the talk of the town, and that was due to the incomings this offseason, but guard Trey Smith is also in the news. Advertisement Currently slated to play on the franchise tag, which is a cool $23.4 million, in an ideal world, an extension would be on the way. Per Over The Cap, the Chiefs have $10.8 million on cap space, so a deal for Smith might be a little tricky, so general manager Brett Veach might have to do some cap gymnastics to get it over the line. And for ESPN, the one thing left on Kansas City's to-do list is to sign Trey to a long-term deal. "The Chiefs already decided between Joe Thuney and Smith," ESPN writes. "They could pay only one of them, so Thuney was sent to Chicago and they kept the younger Smith. Right now, Smith is set to play on the franchise tag for 2025 and then become a free agent again in 2026. We know that's not going to happen. The Chiefs need to get the extension worked out and lock one of the league's top interior linemen down for the next few seasons." Kansas City Chiefs guard Trey Smith (65) leaves the field against the Washington Commanders after a game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Medley/Imagn Images Per Smith has a market value of $19.7 million APY, and an expected contract of four years at $78.8 million. Advertisement Will the Chiefs be fine with that? We think so, and based on how the line performed last year, with Smith being one of the best at his position, it seems logical that both sides will work something out. The salary cap constraints make it a little tricky, but we know that if teams want to, they will. Therefore, the next couple of weeks are crucial in determining how Smith's future as a Chief unfolds. Related: Chiefs' Xavier Worthy Predicted To Go 'Ballistic' In 2025 Related: Chiefs Urged To Consider Kyle Pitts Trade As Travis Kelce Successor This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 27, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
26-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
3 hottest Kansas City Chiefs takes coming out of 2025 minicamp
The post 3 hottest Kansas City Chiefs takes coming out of 2025 minicamp appeared first on ClutchPoints. For the Kansas City Chiefs, minicamp isn't just a tune-up. It's an early proving ground for the players who want to earn the right to be part of a dynasty. With three Super Bowl rings in the last six seasons, Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes have established one of the NFL's strongest cultures. Still, as this offseason showed, even great teams must evolve. And this summer, that evolution is fully underway. The Next Chiefs Era Kansas City's 2025 offseason wasn't without its complications. Trading away All-Pro guard Joe Thuney was a gut punch. The Chiefs are now betting that Kingsley Suamataia will be a better fit inside. On the edge, newly signed tackle Jaylon Moore is expected to start. That is unless first-rounder Josh Simmons, who's recovering from knee surgery, can fast-track his development. Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images Still, the team managed to retain key core pieces like guard Trey Smith and linebacker Nick Bolton. Their 2025 draft prioritized scheme-specific talent, with players who fit Reid's system like gloves. The receiver room gets a big boost from the return of Rashee Rice. With Xavier Worthy and Hollywood Brown adding speed, and veteran JuJu Smith-Schuster back in the fold, Mahomes has a capable, if not star-studded, arsenal. However, it's what happened during this week's minicamp that's gotten fans buzzing. Advertisement Here we'll try to look at the three hottest takeaways that are coming out of the Kansas City Chiefs' 2025 minicamp. 1. Tyquan Thornton's Rise The wide receiver pecking order in Kansas City is mostly settled, but Tyquan Thornton is making noise. The former second-round pick by the New England Patriots spent most of last season on the Chiefs' practice squad. Now, he's vying for the WR6 role, and based on what we've seen at minicamp, he's got a real shot. Thornton's blazing speed was once his calling card in the pre-draft process. Now, it has finally translated on the field, especially in Reid's offense. They thrive on vertical threats and field-stretching speed. He's been catching deep balls from Mahomes regularly during 11-on-11 drills and has essentially inherited the route tree that once belonged to Marquez Valdes-Scantling and Justin Watson. Advertisement 'I like Tyquan. I like the way he's approached things,' Reid told reporters. 'He's got the quarterback's trust, which that's a positive thing. He got valuable reps in here. The other guys could see that he's a talented guy. So, so far so good. I'd like to see him in a game situation, how he handles that.' It's not just about potential anymore. Thornton is showing results. For a team that always values depth and speed, having a reliable sixth receiver who can take the top off the defense is more than a luxury. It's a weapon. 2. Kelce's Fire Still Burns There was speculation this offseason about how much longer Travis Kelce could keep doing this. Turns out, he's not just hanging around. He is doubling down. The 35-year-old tight end looked spry, strong, and fully engaged throughout minicamp. There's no reason to believe he's slowing down anytime soon. Advertisement Kelce's decision to participate in the full minicamp slate sent a clear message to the rest of the roster. For him, it wasn't just about getting reps. It was about setting the tone. 'I planned out my offseason the minute I decided I was coming back,' Kelce said earlier this week. 'It takes a full-year commitment to keep your edge.' The work is paying off. Kelce moved fluidly through routes, connected effortlessly with Mahomes, and brought his trademark energy to every session. If he's even 90 percent of what he's been the past five seasons, Kansas City remains dangerous in the middle of the field and lethal in the red zone. This isn't the end of the line. This is a reloaded, reenergized Kelce, and the league has been warned. 3. The Surprise O-line Star Heading into the offseason, the Chiefs' offensive line picture had more questions than answers. Now, one of the biggest answers might be coming from a rookie who wasn't even expected to be healthy by now. Advertisement Josh Simmons, the team's first-round pick out of Ohio State, has impressed in ways that are turning heads. Coming off knee surgery last October, Simmons wasn't supposed to be fully active yet. However, not only has he participated in full team reps all week. He has also done so with polish and power. © Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images Moore, the presumed starter at left tackle, has been sidelined with an undisclosed injury. This would give Simmons a golden opportunity, and he's seizing it. 'His recovery has been phenomenal,' Reid said. 'He's putting in the hours, he's in the facility early, he's in the training room late. You love to see that.' Advertisement Chiefs trainer Rick Burkholder echoed those sentiments. He calls Simmons one of the team's hardest workers in his rehab and return to play. And Simmons hasn't just been present. He has been dominant in one-on-ones, showing quick feet, strong hands, and a high football IQ. If this trajectory continues, don't be surprised if Simmons is protecting Mahomes' blind side when Week 1 rolls around. The Chiefs may have stumbled into their next franchise left tackle. The Chiefs Aren't Standing Still Kansas City's 2025 minicamp didn't just answer questions. It created momentum. Tyquan Thornton's speed gives the Chiefs another chess piece. Kelce's dedication signals unfinished business. And Josh Simmons' rapid rise could stabilize an offensive line in flux. Advertisement The Chiefs are building something again. And if minicamp was any indication, they're gunning for Super Bowl redemption. They are faster, hungrier, and as dangerous as ever. Related: Chiefs sued by former NFL player, citing racial discrimination Related: Andy Reid gives 2 huge Chiefs training camp injury updates
