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| Veteran guard Joe Thuney is now on the Chicago Bear. |
The Chicago Bears finalized a trade to acquire former Super Bowl Champion guard from the Chiefs: Joe Thuney, in exchange for just a fourth-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Thuney, 32, originally from Centerville, Ohio, began his career with the New England Patriots getting drafted in the year 2016. Was later selected to the 2016 NFL All-Rookie Team, impressing immediately as a starter under the GOAT Tom Brady.
Down the road he finds himself on the Kansas City Chiefs team who strived to win Super Bowls year in, and year out. A perfect situation for the guard who signed a 5-year contract, worth up to $80 million. But like most perfect situations, they have to come to an end at some point.
While the Chiefs appreciated the hard work, effort, and dedication performed, they weren’t in a flexible position to extend a 32-year-old guard with so many of their young players headed towards free agency. They had a big need for cap flexibility and received a draft pick for next year.
Thuney is surely appreciative of the opportunities given to him, representing Kansas City in the Super Bowl 3 times, and winning 2.
On the Chicago side, how could you not love this trade? For where this Bears team sits right now, acquiring a player with many years of experience, is exactly what this Bears team could use. Especially on their offensive line which has struggled the past few seasons. Although, 2024 saw a respectable play this year from their big guys. Darnell Wright (selected with the No.9 pick in 2023) and Braxton Jones took big steps.
This isn’t the first time this season the team has acquired an offensive lineman via trade. Recently the team received Jonah Jackson from the Rams, to take that right guard position. Assuming that Thuney slides into the spot at left guard, this offensive line in a matter of just 24 hours, just got significantly better in the interior. Also, with the potential of addressing the center spot in the coming weeks.
The Bears offseason game plan on the offensive side of the ball, reflects a lot of the vision new head coach Ben Johnson has for this team. Former Offensive Coordinator for the Lions, Johnson was able to transform a young core of offensive players including Alabama’s Jameson Williams and Jahmyr Gibbs among others, into arguably the NFL’s most talented and explosive offense. Of course, being led by former Super Bowl representative for Los Angeles Jared Goff.
But in Detroit, Johnson was known for fielding one of the league’s best offensive fronts in the NFL, he knows that he has to get it right up front in order to have success. They certainly aren’t wasting any time right here. The urgency is real, and the Bears are ready to go out and compete.
It is crazy to think that the new league year (March 12), and Chicago has addressed arguably their most pressing need. Not necessarily beefing up their front, but protecting Caleb Williams in the pocket, which proved to be a big issue for this team moving forward.
They seem to have a lot of confidence in what Caleb can bring to the table for the next few years. But as we can see right now from this organization, they are not sitting back and relaxing. A 5-12 record last year was certainly not enough, and a clear disappointment. And it was clear that this team’s offseason priority was to upgrade the offensive line (specifically the interior) at some point.
They have done everything they can do for Caleb in terms of protection. Now, he needs to go out there and show that selecting him at No.1 was no mistake.
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