The Chicago Bears have made several key additions this offseason, but one of the most impactful — and perhaps even underrated moves — was acquiring four-time All-Pro guard Joe Thuney.
Joe Thuney Earns Praise as One of the NFL’s Most Versatile Players

GettyJoe Thuney’s positional flexibility is unreal.
The Athletic’s Ted Nguyen compiled a list of the NFL’s 10 most versatile players heading into next season, and listed Thuney.
“Thuney has been one of the best guards in the league since he was drafted in 2016,” Nguyen wrote. “Some tackles have to bump down to guard because they don’t have the movement skills to play on the edge, but rarely do interior players move outside. Last season, because of injuries, Thuney had to do exactly that. The Bears would prefer to keep Thuney inside, but it’s nice to know that they could have solid left tackle play in case of emergency. Thuney also played some center in 2020, which means he has the ability to play every position on the offensive line.”
Thuney’s willingness and ability to step outside when the Kansas City Chiefs needed him highlighted just how uniquely valuable he is. Despite being 32 years old, the Bears will rely on him for more than just his positional flexibility.
A Massive Addition for the Bears’ Trenches
In 2024, Thuney allowed pressure on just 4.4% of his pass-blocking snaps, which was the third-highest rate among all qualified guards. That type of reliability is exactly what Chicago’s offensive line and quarterback Caleb Williams need. With so much turnover and youth up front, Thuney brings leadership, unmatched versatility, and the type of technical precision that can stabilize the unit.
Recognizing his value, the Bears and Thuney agreed on a two-year extension. According to his agent Mike McCartney, the new deal is worth $35 million, bringing Thuney’s total earnings to $51 million over the next three years. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero reported that $33.5 million is fully guaranteed, which is a testament to how confident the Bears are in their new leader up front.
But it’s a two-way street. Thuney also believes, despite not playing a snap with the Bears, he wants to remain in Chicago long term. “As the days rolled into weeks, you realize how this is a special place, special building, special history here and the people in the building just make it even more special,” Thuney said. “Pretty early on I could just tell this is something I want to be a part of, something I think would be really cool going forward.”
While the Bears certainly hope they won’t have to move Thuney out of his natural position at guard, it’s a luxury to know that he can play tackle or even center in case of injury. In an era where offensive line play can make or break a season, which is something Bears fans know all too well, Thuney offers Chicago the ultimate insurance policy up front.