The Chicago Bears are no longer just a feel-good story - they’re a legitimate force in the NFL. After stumbling out of the gate with an 0-2 start, they’ve ripped off nine wins in their last ten games, vaulting to a 9-3 record and the top spot in the NFC.
But if you’re just now tuning in, this turnaround didn’t begin in Week 3. It started months earlier, in the offseason, with a series of moves that quietly reshaped the franchise.
Let’s start at the top. The Bears went out and landed one of the most coveted minds in football in Ben Johnson.
His arrival didn’t just bring a new playbook - it brought a new pulse to the entire organization. The energy shifted.
The culture changed. And the results are speaking for themselves.
But Johnson didn’t come alone. The front office went to work surrounding second-year quarterback Caleb Williams with the kind of talent that can elevate a young passer.
Chicago added three key weapons through the draft: tight end Colston Loveland, wide receiver Luther Burden III, and running back Kyle Monangai - who’s been making noise lately with some explosive performances. These aren’t just depth pieces; they’re playmakers, and their emergence has helped unlock a new level in this Bears offense.
Still, the most impactful changes might’ve come up front.
Last season, Chicago’s offensive line was one of the league’s biggest liabilities, ranked 24th by Pro Football Focus. This year?
They’ve flipped the script entirely. Now, they’re a top-five unit, with three of their five starters earning Pro Bowl consideration.
That kind of leap doesn’t happen by accident - and it certainly doesn’t happen without a rock in the middle.
Enter Joe Thuney.
The veteran guard has been nothing short of elite this season. Through 828 snaps, he hasn’t allowed a single sack and has only been flagged twice.
That’s not just efficiency - that’s dominance. And that kind of performance doesn’t just stabilize an offensive line, it elevates everyone around it.
Thuney has become the anchor of this group, and arguably the most important offseason addition the Bears made.
But here’s the kicker: this isn’t new for Thuney. He’s been doing this at the highest level for years.
Back in New England, he helped the Patriots to three AFC Championships and two Super Bowl titles. Then he took his talents to Kansas City, where he added three more AFC crowns and two more rings with the Chiefs. That’s six conference titles and four Super Bowl wins across two teams - and now, he’s brought that championship pedigree to Chicago.
It’s easy to focus on the quarterbacks - Tom Brady in New England, Patrick Mahomes in Kansas City - and rightfully so. But when you look at Thuney’s track record, it’s hard not to wonder: was he the unsung common denominator?
Everywhere he goes, winning follows. And now, the Bears are riding that wave.
Chicago’s offensive resurgence isn’t just about scheme or skill players. It’s about trench play.
It’s about protection. And it’s about a veteran presence who knows what it takes to win when the stakes are highest.
Joe Thuney may not be the flashiest name on the roster, but right now, he might be the most valuable.