One of the big-time offseason additions is not only ready to roll for Chicago Bears OTAs, but All -Pro guard Joe Thuney is now locked in on a new 2-year contract extension.
A day after receiving his new deal, though, Thuney saw the NFL open up another opportunity for him as the league unveiled a new end-of-season award, the "Protector of the Year."
An award that will be given out to the NFL's top offensive lineman is now part of the MVP, Rookie of the Year and Coach of the Year conversation, among others at the NFL Honors. Being a 2-time All Pro, one has to believe Thuney has a great shot at earning hardware like this.
Joe Thuney has the chance to completely flip the script on recent Bears narratives
Think back to just a year ago. The Bears were waltzing into their offseason program with one of the most incomplete offensive lines in football.
This was a line that would go on to allow Caleb Williams to be the most-sacked quarterback in all of football as a rookie. To say the line wasn't good enough would be putting it generously.
This line was a train wreck.
Now, the Bears have All-Pro talent up front with the likes of Thuney. Imagine a Bears offensive lineman winning the league's first-ever Protector of the Year award. That wouldn't just be impressive, but it would be a massive statement by general manager Ryan Poles.
Poles went out and finally addressed the offensive line in a notable way this offseason, bringing in Thuney among other starters like Drew Dalman and Jonah Jackson.
Thuney is the most decorated of them all, by far, and can now totally flip the narrative in Chicago. With the talent level of Thuney working next to Dalman, that interior left side should be the strongest part of the team's line and one of the best in the NFL.