The Chicago Bears nailed the 2025 offseason with how they handled the offensive line as they got a lot of great talent out of it.
They traded for right guard Jonah Jackson and signed center Drew Dalman, but their most important move was making a trade with the Kansas City Chiefs for left guard Joe Thuney. Bears offensive line coach Dan Roushar shared how Chicago landed Thuney and why he wasn't the original plan at left guard.
"We were targeting another player in Kansas City," Roushar said via Foster Swift Sports Talk. "Trey Smith was a high value sign out there. We knew the market was going to be high for him, and Kansas City re-signs him, and right away you realize that they might not be able to keep additional players. Well, it just worked out that Joe Thuney, somehow, someway, was available in a trade scenario for us, so we solidified two guards positions and we signed Drew Dalman, who had played in Atlanta and thought he would fit with what we were looking for at the center position. Smart, steady, really good quickness, had real good lateral range, and so, we saw these traits and fortunate enough to put the three together."
Some cool insights from Dan Roushar here.
— Clay Harbor (@clayharbs82) March 22, 2026
He talks about changing the Bears OL. They were targeting Trey Smith and stumbled into Joe Thuney. Last years OL might be the closest group he’s ever coached.
Hes coach OL for over 15 years 👀 #Bears #DaBears #ChicagoBears pic.twitter.com/D6Vpw2x90r
Bears fans should count their blessings fo Joe Thuney getting acquired instead
That move by Bears general manager Ryan Poles really paid off as the team had one of the top five offensive lines in the NFL in 2025. Thuney was a Pro Bowler, an All-Pro selection, and was named the first Protector of the Year award winner. Pro Football Focus graded him out at a 79.4 overall, ranking fifth out of 81 guards in the NFL as he allowed 15 pressures, one quarterback hit, and zero sacks in 686 pass blocking snaps.
Chicago's offensive line, in general, was so dominant in 2025, as Dalman also landed a Pro Bowl selection for the first time in his career. Right tackle Darnell Wright was named as a second-team All-Pro for the first time in his career as well.
The Bears were third in the NFL in rushing yards per game with 144.5 after finishing dead last in 2024. Their offensive line also went from allowing an NFL-high 68 sacks in 2024 to 24 in 2025.
This offseason is a bit of a transition for the Bears' offensive line, with Dalman stunning the fan base with his retirement from the NFL and left tackle Ozzy Trapilo being ruled out for a good portion of the 2026 season with injury. Garrett Bradbury was acquired in a trade from the New England Patriots to take over at center, and there will be a position battle in training camp at left tackle with Braxton Jones, Jedrick Wills Jr., and Theo Benedet.
Read more: Bears' latest mock draft showcases stunning trade that pays off for defense
Chicago's line is still in good position in 2026 to still be one of the best in the NFL, so the hope is they won't miss a beat thanks to having the best offensive lineman in the league in Thuney.