Joe Thuney
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SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 05: Joe Thuney during the 15th Annual NFL Honors at the Palace Of Fine Arts on February 05, 2026 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
It feels like a wild dream thinking about how the Chicago Bears were able to trade just a fourth-round pick for left guard Joe Thuney, who went on and became the NFL’s first-ever Protector of the Year award winner.
“It’s just incredible,” Thuney said. “I’m very humbled to even be mentioned amongst guys that are on the ballot, and people that are voting. So, very humbling and such an honor. I’m very thankful, but I’m not a one-man operation. There are so many people behind the scenes — parents, family, friends, teammates, coaches, everyone in the building. So it’s just a big operation, and I’m very thankful.”
In his first season with the Bears, Thuney was named AP First-Team All-Pro at left guard and selected to the Pro Bowl. Through 10 NFL seasons, Thuney has earned All-Pro honors on five occasions, been named to four Pro Bowl teams, and started in six Super Bowls, winning four (LI, LIII, LVII, LVIII).
He’s going to go down as one of the best guards to ever play in the NFL, and he just received some career news from his Alma Mater, NC State.
Bears Protector of the Year Joe Thuney Received Major Career News
Joe Thuney has been inducted into NC State’s Ring of Honor.
“Such an honor – so unbelievably proud and humbled to represent North Carolina State.”
Don’t worry, he’s not retiring like Drew Dalman, but it’s a great accomplishment for Thuney.
The reason he’s been able to achieve such success is his humility.
“There’s a lot that goes into offensive line play. I appreciate all the running backs that helped chip, the tight ends that were chipping, which helped the tackles, the receivers for getting open, Caleb for making plays, throwing the ball quickly. So really, I’m just a cog in a huge machine. I appreciate all the other parts doing such a great job around me to help me do my job better. I just love all the guys. It’s awesome.”
It’s never been about him. Yet, Thuney deserves all the success with that kind of mindset.
Bears Preparing For Thuney to Have New Teammates By His Side
Garrett Bradbury
GettyGarrett Bradbury #65 of the New England Patriots looks on from the sideline.
It’s not going to be the same for Thuney next season. After playing primarily in the middle of left tackle Ozzy Trapilo and center Drew Dalman, one is nursing a major injury, while the other retired.
Thuney already has familiarity with the new center, Garrett Bradbury, as the two were bunkmates at NC State. But the bigger question is, what direction do the Bears want to go at left tackle?
They signed Braxton Jones, Theo Benedet, and Jedrick Wills Jr. to one-year deals, and while that’s already plenty of options, Ben Johnson hasn’t ruled out drafting a left tackle.
“That’s something that Ryan [Poles] and I always talk about. There’s a lot of ways that that could unfold. Obviously, you’d love to have your long-term starter for the next 10 years locked up. There’s a lot of uncertainty right now, though. …And you can’t rule out the draft either. …If there’s a tackle or a defensive tackle or a (defensive) end, I think we can go any direction we need to and stay true to that and feel pretty good about it. To give you clarity, it’s hard to say right now what that left tackle spot’s going to look like this year or five years from now.”
It’ll be interesting to see what the Bears decide to do at left tackle. But one thing is certain: Joe Thuney will play at an elite level next season.