The NFL world can't stop reacting to the massive trade in which the Chicago Bears acquired four-time Super Bowl champion Joe Thuney from the Kansas City Chiefs.
The Bears are sending a 2026 fourth-round pick to the Chiefs in exchange for the All-Pro offensive lineman, a move that addresses a major need for the Bears. Overall, yes, the Bears needed any and all offensive line help. After the Chiefs applied the franchise tag on Trey Smith, trading for Thuney quite possible was the next possible move the Bears could have made. Adding in the trade for Jonah Jackson earlier this week, the Bears seemingly have their two new starting guards.
The Bears can now enter free agency with their focus on adding a center. Of course, all eyes remain on Drew Dalman being the next addition to the Bears' offensive line. But, before we get there, one NFL insider shared a hidden reason for the Bears' decision to trade for Thuney.
Obviously, Thuney is a major upgrade talent-wise.
— Dane Brugler (@dpbrugler) March 5, 2025
But talking to people close to the organization, the No. 1 thing missing from the Bears' OL room was leadership. Thuney brings a much-needed veteran voice. https://t.co/oLcGxXpmoQ
Joe Thuney is finally the adult in the room for the Chicago Bears' offensive line
Thuney has split his nine seasons in the NFL with the New England Patriots and Kansas City Chiefs. When Thuney was not blocking for Patrick Mahomes over the last four seasons, he was blocking for Tom Brady for the first five seasons of his career. That could also be a sign of what's to come for Bears' quarterback Caleb Williams.
Beyond the Bears' locker room in general, it was clear that the team had no leader along their offensive line in recent seasons. There were times when Teven Jenkins tried to be that leader, but it's difficult to fill when you are not on the field. Add in the stopgap veterans the Bears have brought in over the last few seasons and the fact they had two young tackles in Darnell Wright and Braxton Jones, and it's no surprise there wasn't a leader among the unit.
Thuney will change that for the Bears moving forward. Given his time with the Patriots and Chiefs, Thuney knows excellence, and that is the exact presence the Bears' offensive line needs.