When the Chicago Bears sent a 2026 fourth-round pick to the Kansas City Chiefs for Joe Thuney, it didn’t just look like a smart move-it looked like a franchise-shifting one. And as we head into the final stretch of the regular season, it’s becoming clear: this might be the steal of the year.
Thuney, one of the most respected interior linemen in the league, has quickly become a fan favorite in Chicago-and the Pro Bowl voting reflects it. Though the NFL hasn’t released full tallies yet, early returns show Thuney leading all left guards in votes.
That’s no small feat, especially considering the depth of talent at the position league-wide. But it’s also no surprise to anyone who’s watched the Bears this season.
From the moment Thuney arrived, expectations were sky-high in Chicago. The move was part of a larger offensive line overhaul aimed at protecting second-year quarterback Caleb Williams, who’s shown flashes of brilliance in his first full season under center. Alongside Thuney, the Bears added center Drew Dalman and right guard Jonah Jackson-forming a veteran trio tasked with stabilizing a unit that had long been a sore spot.
So far? Mission accomplished-and then some.
Under first-year head coach Ben Johnson, the Bears have surged to the top of the NFC standings through Week 13. Their offense ranks eighth in points scored, and a big reason why is the protection up front.
Thuney, in particular, has brought exactly what Chicago needed: consistency, leadership, and elite pass protection. His presence has allowed Williams to settle into the offense, giving the young quarterback the time and confidence to make the kinds of throws that made him a No. 1 overall pick.
Thuney’s impact isn’t just about stats or highlight-reel blocks-it’s about setting a tone. He’s been a rock on the left side, anchoring a line that’s kept Williams upright and the offense humming. His Pro Bowl vote lead is a reflection of that impact, and it’s a sign that fans across the league are noticing.
Meanwhile, things haven’t gone quite as smoothly for the Chiefs in the post-Thuney era. While Kansas City had been preparing for his departure-giving Kingsley Suamataia a late-season audition at guard last year-the transition hasn’t been seamless.
Suamataia has held his own, but the offensive line as a whole has struggled with injuries and penalties. The Chiefs are sitting at 6-6, dangerously close to missing the playoffs for the first time since 2015.
Kansas City opted to move forward with Suamataia and re-signed right guard Trey Smith to a long-term deal, letting Thuney walk rather than offer a new contract in his early 30s. The Bears, on the other hand, had no hesitation. Not long after acquiring Thuney, they locked him up with a two-year extension-betting on his ability to anchor their line and mentor their young quarterback.
So far, that bet is paying off in a big way.
In a league where mid-round picks often turn into depth players or developmental projects, turning a future fourth-rounder into a Pro Bowl-caliber guard is a masterstroke. And if the Bears keep rolling the way they have, Thuney might not just be headed to the Pro Bowl-he could be headed back to the Super Bowl, this time in navy and orange.
For Chicago, the Thuney trade wasn’t just a win-it was a statement. And as the season barrels toward January, that statement is growing louder by the week.