Joe Thuney has established himself as one of the most prolific offensive linemen active in the NFL today, and it's for good reason. The Bears' left tackle has had an impact on the overall health of the Bears offense that's often either minimized or ignored completely. The offensive line is frequently the unsung heroes of a football team,
Thuney was recently named as the most likely Bears player to receive All-Pro honors this season. It's not exactly a stretch, given that he's one of the most decorated linemen in the NFL, but he's also won All-Pro honors five times in his career already. He's the reigning protector of the year. He's won four Super Bowls. Thuney has spent his career protecting some of the most well known quarterbacks in football.
The foundation of the offensive line
From the moment Ryan Poles was hired as the Bears general manager, the culture has shifted. Gone were the days of shooting ourselves in the foot, and here were the days of building for the future. Poles was here to rebuild the team from the ground up, and he was doing so in a situation that had long been desecrated by poor decision making for years.
Finding long-term foundational players that could bridge the gap of rebuild, and then be elite players when needed to be is a tall order. That's why someone with Thuney's incredible background brings a wealth of invaluable experience to the table. For himself, and for the offense around him.
Thuney is 33 years old. It's not an old age, but when you've been in the NFL as long as Thuney has and you're going up against 22 year olds, age is an unavoidable factor. Thuney signed a three year deal with the Bears holding him under team control through the 2027 season. If he's come this far without showing signs of slowing down, there's no reason to think he may not sign some sort of extension with the Bears in the future.
Thuney has already accomplished more than most offensive linemen could ever hope to achieve, but he remains just as valuable to the Bears today as he was when he was defending Brady. If Chicago's offensive line continues its upward trajectory in 2026, another All-Pro selection could simply be the latest chapter in an already remarkable career.
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