Bears All-Pro is a finalist for another outstanding award and his latest act of selflessness should swing plenty of votes his way
Joe Thuney is one of the six finalists for the Protector of the Year award.
The NFL honors is coming up on on Feb. 5 ahead of Super Bowl LX and the Chicago Bears have a few nominees on the ballot going into the event.
Head coach Ben Johnson was recognized as one of the five finalist for AP Coach of the Year and more than deserving after leading the Bears to a 12-7 second, including playoffs, and completely turning the franchise around. Wide receiver DJ Moore was nominated as the team’s Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year selection as well.
On Thursday, the Bears got one last addition to the award show with All-Pro offensive lineman Joe Thuney being nominated as one of the six candidates for the newly created Protector of the Year Award.
Joe Thuney finalist for the NFL’s first Protector of the Year award
Thuney was nominated along with Denver Broncos offensive tackle Garett Bolles, Miami Dolphins center Aaron Brewer, Kansas City Chiefs center Creed Humphrey, Denver Broncos offensive guard Quinn Meinerz, and Detroit Lions offensive tackle Penei Sewell.
This will be the first year an offensive lineman will be awarded as the Protector of the Year, an award created this season to recognize the best offensive lineman in the league and emphasizes “protection, durability, leadership, and the unsung heroics.”
All six are equally deserving of the honor. These are easily the six best offensive linemen in the league but Thuney’s final act of selflessness in the Bears divisional round loss could sway some voters when it comes to unsung heroics, and it’s far from recency bias.
Joe Thuney’s move to left tackle makes him an easy pick for Protector of the Year
Going into that game, the Bears had a situation at left tackle after Ozzy Trapilo suffered a torn patellar tendon in the wild card round. Instead of inserting Theo Benedet back into the lineup in Trapilo’s place, the Bears coaching staff made the bold move by sliding Thuney out of his All-Pro spot at left guard and over to left tackle to defend against Los Angeles Rams edge rusher Jared Verse.
“We just thought Joe had a great anchor and he would be able to help us in that regard,” Johnson said after the loss. “Credit to him. Of course, he’s done it and he’s willing to do whatever is necessary to help the team win.”
It’s a similar situation Thuney took on the season before in the playoffs with the Kansas City Chiefs and goes to show the kind of teammate he is. The fact Thuney allowed zero sacks and two pressures in that game, in his first start at left tackle in a calendar year, goes to show the kind of player he is.
Thuney finished his season with the Bears allowing ZERO sacks and only 22 pressures, including the two playoff games. Thuney and Bolles were the only offensive linemen in the NFL to play 750+ pass blocking snaps and allow zero sacks between the regular season and playoffs with Thuney allowing one fewer pressure than Bolles.
This is as tight of a race as you could have for an award selection. But, Thuney’s final game and flawlessly switching positions the way he did tells you everything you need to know.
Adding the NFL’s first Protector of the Year award to his trophy case will be just another addition to his Hall of Fame résumé and it’s certainly deserved.
The finalist will be selected by a panel that includes former standout offensive linemen in LeCharles Bentley, Jason Kelce, Shaun O’Hara, Orlando Pace, Will Shields, Andrew Whitworth.
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