The Chicago Bears have made significant moves to strengthen their offensive line. They are trading a fourth-round pick in 2026 to the Kansas City Chiefs for Joe Thuney, a two-time All-Pro guard, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. This follows their recent acquisition of guard Jonah Jackson from the Los Angeles Rams.
Both trades will take effect when the NFL’s new league year begins on March 12. Thuney was named the Chiefs’ MVP last season, earning the Derrick Thomas Award for stepping up by switching to left tackle late in the season.
Thuney has played nine seasons in the NFL, mainly with the New England Patriots and the Chiefs. He has started 146 games and missed only two. In 2024, he played 895 snaps at left guard before shifting to left tackle, where he protected quarterback Patrick Mahomes during the Chiefs’ Super Bowl run.
His impressive stats include the highest pass block win rate (97.8%) in the league over the last two seasons. Among 94 players with significant pass-blocking snaps, Thuney’s win rate was second only to that of his new teammate, Jonah Jackson, who had a rate of 98.5%. At 32 years old, Thuney has been named a first-team All-Pro for two consecutive seasons and earned his third Pro Bowl selection in 2024.
With free agency approaching, the Bears have overhauled much of their offensive line. Key starters from the previous season—Teven Jenkins, Coleman Shelton, and Matt Pryor—are all set to enter free agency. The Bears are keen to improve pass protection after their quarterback, Caleb Williams, was sacked a league-high 68 times as a rookie.
New head coach Ben Johnson discussed the focus on improving the offensive line during his introductory press conference in January. He emphasized the need for better performance in this area and plans to develop a talented unit. Johnson also spoke about attracting quality coaches to help develop existing players.
Thuney’s contract includes a $16 million salary for this season, the last of a five-year deal worth $80 million that he signed with the Chiefs in 2021. Meanwhile, the Chiefs have placed a franchise tag on guard Trey Smith, which is estimated to be worth $23.4 million for the 2025 season, making him one of the highest-paid guards in the league.
Thuney, originally drafted by the Patriots, has won two Super Bowls with them and two more with the Chiefs. His experience and skills will be crucial as the Bears aim to build a robust offensive line.
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