The Chicago Bears have made a significant move to strengthen their offensive line by trading a 2026 fourth-round pick to the Kansas City Chiefs for two-time All-Pro guard Joe Thuney. This trade, reported by ESPN’s Adam Schefter, marks the second offensive line acquisition for the Bears within 24 hours.
A day prior, the Bears also agreed to a trade with the Los Angeles Rams to acquire guard Jonah Jackson. However, both deals will not be finalized until the NFL’s new league year begins on March 12.
Joe Thuney Brings Elite Pass Protection and Versatility to the Chicago Bears
Thuney, a highly decorated offensive lineman, was voted the Chiefs’ MVP last season by his teammates, earning the Derrick Thomas Award for his unselfishness and versatility. He played a crucial role in the Chiefs’ Super Bowl LIX run, initially playing left guard before shifting to left tackle in Week 15 to protect quarterback Patrick Mahomes’ blind side.
Over his nine-year NFL career with the New England Patriots and Kansas City Chiefs, Thuney has been a durable and consistent presence, missing only two games while starting 146. His elite performance has made him one of the league’s best pass blockers.
Caleb (NFL)Thuney’s statistics further highlight his dominance in pass protection. Over the past two seasons, he has maintained the highest pass block win rate in the NFL at 97.8%. According to ESPN Research, among 94 players with at least 60 pass-block snaps at guard last season, Thuney (98.2%) and Jonah Jackson (98.5%) ranked first and second in pass block win rate.
Thuney, 32, has earned back-to-back first-team All-Pro selections and was named to his third consecutive Pro Bowl in 2024. His addition significantly upgrades the Bears’ offensive line, which struggled last season.
Bears Overhaul Offensive Line to Protect Caleb Williams and Strengthen the Roster
The Bears’ recent acquisitions signify a major overhaul of their offensive line, particularly the interior positions. All three primary starters from 2024—left guard Teven Jenkins, center Coleman Shelton, and right guard Matt Pryor—are set to become free agents.
Protecting quarterback Caleb Williams has become a top priority, especially after he endured a league-high 68 sacks as a rookie. These moves align with new head coach Ben Johnson’s philosophy, which he emphasized during his introductory press conference in January. Johnson, previously the offensive coordinator for the Detroit Lions, highlighted the importance of a strong offensive line in building a successful team.
Thuney is in the final year of the five-year, $80 million contract he signed with the Chiefs in 2021, and he is set to earn $16 million this season. Meanwhile, the Chiefs placed a nonexclusive franchise tag on guard Trey Smith, making him the highest-paid guard in the league with a 2025 franchise tender worth approximately $23.4 million.
The current highest-paid guard, Landon Dickerson of the Philadelphia Eagles, earns $21 million annually. Thuney, originally a third-round pick in 2016, has won four Super Bowls—two with the Patriots and two with the Chiefs—bringing championship experience and leadership to Chicago’s revamped offensive line.