The Chicago Bears' road to the top started with one simple decision: Getting stronger in the trenches. They already had a promising quarterback, but he could only do so much if they couldn't keep him out of harm's way.
Caleb Williams took the most sacks in the league during his rookie season (68). That was simply unsustainable, and general manager Ryan Poles began the overhaul by trading for All-World guard Joe Thuney.
The Bears immediately gave Thuney a two-year contract extension, and it didn't take long before he paid them back on the field. That's why all fans will agree with Tom Brady's latest take on the future Hall of Famer:
“Joe was like, I think, a third-round pick for us. He played tackle at NC State, and we moved him to guard, started as a rookie. Joe just came in, and he embraced all that… he was just the perfect guard," Brady said on the New Heights podcast. "Size, strength, probably didn’t have the longest arms, but it didn’t matter. He was a captain; he always did the right thing…He showed up, he sweated his [butt] off, and he was just a constant pro… he’s just a great player, great guy.”
Joe Thuney is one of the Bears' most crucial players
With Thuney anchoring the interior of the offensive line, the Bears only gave up 24 sacks. Per Pro Football Focus (subscription required), he gave up a grand total of 15 pressures, one quarterback hit, and zero sacks. He was called for just two penalties, and his PFF grade (79.4) was the fifth-highest among 81 players at the position.
Those strong performances granted him the honor of being named the league's Protector of the Year. He's a proven winner, and even though he's already 33, he looks like he still has a good five or six years in him at the very least.
Thuney is a proven winner. He's played for two teams, and he's played an instrumental role in helping his two previous organizations win Super Bowls -- that's plural. He's just getting started in Chicago, and he'd certainly love to complete a full hand with his fifth championship ring.
The Bears still have some tweaks to do on offense. Caleb Williams has all the talent in the world, but he might also be his own worst enemy. They need to dial things down for him, make life easier for him, and make sure he doesn't have to go for the home run on every play.
However, having prime protection and a clean pocket will be the best way to help him with that. Also, Thuney is elite at creating gaps and moving people out of the way for the running game, another paramount aspect of Ben Johnson's offense.
This game has come a long way throughout the course of time, but one thing remains as certain now as a hundred years ago: Whoever dominates the trenches dominates the game. And with Thuney in town, whoever comes across the Bears' offensive line will be in for a very, very long day.
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