Two AFC executives believe regression is coming in a key area of Joe Thuney's game, but it's not something the Bears should worry about
The Chicago Bears' biggest and boldest move of the offseason, outside of hiring head coach Ben Johnson, was landing a trade with the Kansas City Chiefs to acquire offensive lineman Joe Thuney, at a bargain as well.Going into the offseason, the Bears had been linked to multiple top offensive linemen but no one expected the […]
The Chicago Bears' biggest and boldest move of the offseason, outside of hiring head coach Ben Johnson, was landing a trade with the Kansas City Chiefs to acquire offensive lineman Joe Thuney, at a bargain as well.
Going into the offseason, the Bears had been linked to multiple top offensive linemen but no one expected the team to go after Thuney, and few even knew he would even be available via trade.
Thuney's arrival brings some much needed leadership and championship pedigree to the entire Bears' offensive line, while adding one of the NFL's top interior protectors.
Over the last few days, ESPN has been rolling out Top-10 rankings at each position group voted on by numerous executives, coaches, and scouts from around the league.
When ranking the top interior offensive linemen heading into the 2025 season, Thuney cracked the list, coming in at #6. ESPN's Jeremy Fowler highlighted Thuney's versatility after moving to left tackle flawlessly in 2024, along with his 96.4 pass block win rate that was tied for first among all guards.
Having such a recognition going into his 10th NFL season shows that Thuney is still at the top of his game, which makes since considering he was named as a first-team All-Pro selection in each of the last two seasons.
However, two unnamed AFC executives each shared one area of Thuney's game that is starting to show his age.
"Complete package: Speed, athletic ability, hand placement, toughness, instincts," an AFC executive said. "I think power is a slight deficiency. Versatility isn't."
"All technique, instincts and smarts with Joe," a separate AFC executive said. "Physical skills are on the decline."
– via ESPN's Jeremy Fowler
Thuney's physical decline shouldn't be a problem for the Bears
Physical regression is something that comes for all NFL players over time and the ones who are able to stick around the league and play at a high level for 10+ years do so by adapting their game and keeping great care of their bodies.
In Thuney's case, the last time he missed a regular season game was in 2022 and even then he was only sidelined for two weeks. As far as adapting his game, the two AFC executives already hinted at that.
Thuney has become much more of a technician on the football field, using his mind and techniques to his advantage. His hand strength and placement is some of the best in the league not to mention the athleticism he still has at 32-years-old.
Chicago wasn't in the market to mind a young, powerful guard to revamp the offensive line. The front office specifically targeted a veteran player like Thuney and the confidence in his abilities was shown when the team extended him through 2027.
When you look at the Bears' offensive line, it's filled with a lot of young players like Darnell Wright, Braxton Jones, Ozzy Trapilo, Jonah Jackson, and even Drew Dalman.
So, while Thuney's physical skills might be regressing, his leadership and high-level of technical play still provide the Bears exactly what they were searching for to bring into that group over the next three years.
