Chicago Bears Sign or Pass: Joe Thuney
Should the Chicago Bears sign Joe Thuney, a guard from the New England Patriots?
The New England Patriots found a gem in the third round when they drafted Joe Thuney from North Carolina State. He started all four years for the team and was a two-time Super Bowl winner over that span.
Now, he is no longer going to be a bargain for the Patriots. Arguably the top offensive lineman on the market, he is going to hear big numbers around his name in the next couple of weeks. He would likely want to stay in New England, but they are dealing with other cap issues when it comes to their star quarterback.
If Thuney does decide to test the market, is he a player the Bears should open the pockets and pay him on an Allen Robinson type deal?
Sign
Over the past two seasons, Joe Thuney has ranked second and ninth in pass blocking efficiency. Over that span he has allowed one sack. Last season he did not commit a penalty. He has been one of the most consistent lineman in the NFL in the past two years.
He comes in well discipline, well coached and regarded as an impactf pass blocker. A huge upgrade to the offensive line.
Pass
His entire career was spent playing left guard. Now, all of the sudden, the Bears would have to decide if shifting James Daniels to right guard would be worth the signing. Continuity is key to the offensive line.
On top of that he has spent four years with Dante Scarnecchia, who is the best offensive line coach in the NFL. Scarnecchia retired this offseason which increases the chances of Thuney leaving, but also brings the question of what type of player he will be without Scarnecchia. If the Pats let him walk, do they know that he was a system fit and only worth so much?
Juan Castillo has had some success with lineman, but he does not elevate talent in quite the same way.
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Lastly, Thuney has played with Brady, a quick passer who plays on schedule and is not very mobile. Mitch Trubisky has a much for freelancing style that may take time for a new lineman from a system such as New England to get used to. The long term would have to be in mind with Thuney and the change of Daniels to right guard.