The Chicago Bears' activity during the offseason appears to have paid off, as the rest of the league sent a message on offensive guard Joe Thuney.
ESPN NFL reporter Jeremy Fowler surveyed NFL personnel on who they would rank as the top interior offensive linemen in the league. Thuney was ranked sixth after having a stellar tenure with the Kansas City Chiefs.
"One of most impressive football feats of the 2024 NFL season was Thuney, at 6-foot-5 and 304 pounds, successfully transitioning from guard to left tackle late in the season. The Chiefs were in a bind, and the offensive line needed help, and Thuney stabilized it. Chiefs coach Andy Reid lauded the move, saying Thuney never complained -- and he held his own incredibly well.
Thuney is always among the best statistically -- his 96.4 pass block win rate is tied for first among guards with Denver's Ben Powers -- but his versatility was on full display last year.
'Complete package: Speed, athletic ability, hand placement, toughness, instincts,' an AFC executive said. 'I think power is a slight deficiency. Versatility isn't.'
Coaches say he has got elite grip strength -- once he is attached to a defensive lineman, he is hard to shake.
'All technique, instincts and smarts with Joe," a separate AFC executive said. "Physical skills are on the decline.'"
While he was not included in the top, new center Drew Dalman was mentioned as having received votes for the top 10. Dalman was not included as an honorable mention.
Bears continue to prove they were right to bring in Thuney
Thuney is about as reliable a starter as they get in the NFL, as he has missed two games since being drafted by the New England Patriots in 2016. He has made three Pro Bowls and four All-Pro selections with the Patriots and Kansas City Chiefs.
Bears general manager Ryan Poles got on the phones in the offseason after his offensive line allowed 68 sacks (a league-high) to get Thuney from the Chiefs for a 2026 fourth-round pick. Chicago ended up extending his contract on a three-year, $51 million deal.
It was a bold move for Poles to get aggressive on the offensive line, but the team needed to as they have to give their franchise quarterback Caleb Williams everything he needs to succeed. Besides the sacks, this was an offense that was dead last in total offense and near the bottom in rushing.
Thuney was just one of the new pieces there to help the offensive line. Dalman and Jonah Jackson are also new players who will start in 2025 to sure up the interior of the line.
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What a run it has been for Thuney over the last three seasons, with all being Pro Bowl and All-Pro selections to end them. He needs to bring his winning mentality and consistency to Chicago to try to end the dreaded four-year postseason drought.