When the Chicago Bears traded for Joe Thuney last month, there was an expectation that the Bears were preparing a contract extension for the All-Pro guard.
Part of the reason why the Bears were able to acquire Thuney from the Kansas City Chiefs was that he was entering the final year of his contract. Considering the Bears have already moved to sign Jonah Jackson to an extension, some Bears fans are suprised that one hasn't been announced for Thuney yet.
That doesn't mean it's not in the works. After being asked about a possible extension for Thuney, Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune said there is no reason for concern that one has not been signed yet. The indication from Biggs is that the Bears wouldn't have traded for Thuney without the idea that they would be able to sign him to a new contract. Chances are once the 2025 NFL Draft is completed, the Bears will move to extend Thuney beyond the 2025 season.
Bears are still expected to work on Joe Thuney contract extension
A Thuney extension would give the Bears' offensive line certainty beyond the 2025 season. Darnell Wright is still under his rookie contract while both Jackson and Drew Dalman are under contract through the 2027 season. It would seem feasible that the Bears would want to place Thuney on that same timeline.
The question for the Bears' offensive line remains left tackle. Braxton Jones is entering the final year of his rookie contract but will be limited when the team opens training camp in July. Jone hasn't fully cemented himself as the long-term answer at the left tackle spot. Given that fact, it stands to reason the Bears will add a left tackle during the early rounds of the draft. LSU's Will Campbell remains an intriguing prospect. The same can be said for Missouri's Armand Membou.