Chicago Bears expected to make a trade for a Kansas City Chiefs offensive lineman, but it might not be the one you'd expect
The Chicago Bears have made it well known that they intend to be aggressive in rebuilding the offensive line this offseason to better protect franchise quarterback Caleb Williams.On Tuesday, the first step in that process was made official when the Bears agreed to a deal with the Los Angeles Rams, landing former Pro Bowl left […]
The Chicago Bears have made it well known that they intend to be aggressive in rebuilding the offensive line this offseason to better protect franchise quarterback Caleb Williams.
On Tuesday, the first step in that process was made official when the Bears agreed to a deal with the Los Angeles Rams, landing former Pro Bowl left guard Jonah Jackson for a 2025 sixth-round pick. And they're not done making moves prior to free agency.
According to NFL Network's Ian Rapport, the Bears are expected to trade for 2x All-Pro guard Joe Thuney from the Kansas City Chiefs. The compensation is expected to be a 2026 4th-round pick.
Thuney has started all 66 games since joining the Chiefs and was named as a First-Team All Pro in each of the last two seasons. However, the Chiefs were in a bind up-front considering Creed Humphrey is the highest-paid center in football and the recent franchise tag on Trey Smith made him the highest-paid guard in football.
As a result, the Chiefs are offloading Thuney to the Bears, who lands an incredible talent. Thuney has one more year remaining on his current deal worth $16 million, and his expected to land an extension with the Bears.
All offseason long, it seemed Trey Smith was the ideal target for the Bears until the Chiefs took him off the market, but there was still a possibility a tag-and-trade situation could prevent itself. Instead, the Bears reached out about acquiring Thuney.
At 32-years-old, Thuney is still playing his best football. In 2024, Thuney ranked 5th among all guards with an 80.0 pass block grade according to Pro Football Focus. Due to issues up-front, Thuney even answered the call, moving to left tackle during the second-half of the season.
“It shows that he’s unselfish,” Chiefs offensive line coach Andy Heck said. "He’s about the team. He’s such a great player, period. But especially as a guard. Then to go out to a position that he hasn’t played in a long time and not even bat an eye and say ‘yeah whatever you need, I’ll do it.’ He’s got a great job for us and seems to have quieted down the whole offense so we can function efficiently."
Landing a talent like Thuney for a 4th-round pick is a massive win for the Bears. Pairing him with Jonah Jackson on Tuesday gives the Bears two experienced players who have the ability to play a high-level of football.
Given both players are traditionally left guards, it'll be interesting to see if Thuney takes over for Braxton Jones at left tackle or if Jonah Jackson moves to center / right guard. Either way, the spots are starting to get filled before free agency even begins.
