Despite the Chicago Bears missing out on top free agent guard Trey Smith after the Kansas City Chiefs hit him with the franchise tag, Ryan Poles and Ben Johnson were undeterred in their missing to build Caleb Williams an elite offensive line in his second season. Joe Thuney was in their crosshairs.
With many of the Chiefs' best young players hitting free agency, and the big contracts of Patrick Mahomes and Chris Jones weighing heavy, Kansas City was unwilling to give Thuney a third contract.
Thuney was traded to the Bears for a 2026 fourth-round pick, a deal that surprised many around the league due to the paltry compensation heading Kansas City's way. Chicago, meanwhile, fills their hole at left guard in about the best and most efficient way one could.
Johnson knew he couldn't run the same offense he did in Detroit with the offensive line that almost got Williams flattened into a pancake last year, and bringing Thuney in to help boost things should give the Bears an extra degree of ruggedness and consistency in 2025 and beyond.
Joe Thuney Trade Grades: Bears land All-Pro guard for cheap
Thuney has made three Pro Bowls and four All-Pro teams in his career, including First Team nods in the last two seasons. Thuney, who moved over to left tackle for a bit last year, was so good last year that he received some votes for offensive player of the year at left guard.
Perhaps the most impressive thing about Thuney, who spent five years in New England alongside his four in Kansas City, is the fact that he has made the Super Bowl six times and won it four times. That championship pedigree will be much appreciated as the Bears try to turn their culture around.
While Thuney is 32 years old, and he is owed a ton of money in the next few years, offensive linemen of his caliber rarely become available in trade or free agency. Rather than trust a rookie from the NFL Draft, Chicago can now lean on multiple proven starters to protect Williams.
For the cost of just a few Day 3 NFL Draft picks, Poles and Johnson have given Williams both a promising starter in former Lions guard Jonah Jackson and arguably the best player at his position in the league in Thuney. For a front office with its back against the wall, these have been a phenomenal few days for Poles.
Grade: A