It hardly feels like a coincidence that winning follows Chicago Bears guard Joe Thuney wherever he goes. Yet, his impact on success often goes unnoticed, because we typically only hear about offensive linemen when they struggle.
Well, Thuney did it again. He proved to be a true, immediate difference-maker for the Bears in 2025. His contributions were worth every bit of the 2026 fourth-round pick they sent to acquire him from the Kansas City Chiefs in March and more.
While Thuney's efforts may fly under the radar of the average football fan, his teammates know how important he is. Bears standout tight end Colston Loveland expressed appreciation for him during an exclusive interview with FanSided.
Bears TE Colston Loveland showers Joe Thuney with well-deserved praise
Thuney helped Chicago snap a 15-year playoff win drought and claim their first NFC North championship in nearly a decade. On and off the field, he set the standard for a squad that was young and inexperienced at key positions, like quarterback and head coach. Loveland made sure to give credit where credit is due.
"He's the greatest. ... Talk about a pro’s pro. Everything he does [is] the right way. That’s someone I look up to for sure. ... Throw him at left tackle — strapping. ... Whatever he needs to do, and he’s a team-first guy. I love Joe. Shoutout Joe. "Colston Loveland on Joe Thuney
Loveland spoke highly of the inaugural Protector of the Year recipient, highlighting Thuney's tremendous work ethic and unselfishness. The former gave the latter well-deserved flowers for doing whatever was needed for the team's greater good, including kicking outside to tackle.
The Bears lost standout rookie blindside protector Ozzy Trapilo to a ruptured patellar tendon in their Wild Card victory over the Green Bay Packers. His absence left them searching for answers up front ahead of a Divisional Round showdown with the Los Angeles Rams. Lo and behold, Thuney steps in on a moment's notice as a stabilizing force, allowing third-year pro Jordan McFadden slide into Chicago's left guard spot.
Little things like this are what make Thuney Chicago's X factor. The five-time All-Pro's consistency and versatility make him such an undervalued asset. However, he's ostensibly caught the attention of his Bears comrades, specifically Loveland.
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Across 17 games this season, Thuney posted a 79.4 overall Pro Football Focus grade, which was good for fifth out of 81 qualified guards. He also notably ranked first in pass protection (88.9). Nevertheless, that doesn't properly quantify his strong intangible traits: leadership, mental toughness, and football IQ.
Note: Chicago Bears tight end Colston Loveland spoke on behalf of Charmin.