Former NC State great Joe Thuney is on track to become the highest-paid offensive guard in NFL history. The news comes after Thuney, who was traded from the Kansas City Chiefs to the Chicago Bears in March, signed a two-year contract extension with the Bears, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.
Thuney, who had a year left on his five-year, $80-million dollar contract with the Chiefs before being traded, is now slated to make $51 million dollars over the next three seasons with $33.5 million guaranteed at signing. If he plays out the full contract through 2027, he would make more than $120 million in career earnings -- the most for a guard in NFL history.
He’s part of Chicago’s offseason offensive line overhaul to protect Caleb Williams under center. The Bears also added former Los Angeles Rams guard Jonah Jackson and former Atlanta Falcons center Drew Dalman. Plus, the Bears drafted former Boston College tackle Ozzy Trapilo, a two-time All-ACC selection, in the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft.
In nine NFL seasons with New England and Kansas City, Thuney has been named First-Team All-Pro twice (2023 and 2024) and a three-time Pro Bowler (2022-2024). He's also appeared in six Super Bowls, which is tied for second-most in league history, while winning four of them.
The 2024 campaign was a challenging one for Thuney, who was forced to move to left tackle during week 15. He continued in the role through the Super Bowl loss to the Eagles. It was the eighth season in which he played more than 1,000 snaps (979 in 2020) and he only allowed one sack and 28 pressures in 780 pass blocking snaps.
The 32-year-old Thuney was a three-year starter and first-team All-American for the Wolfpack as a senior.
At NC State, Thuney was a finalist for the Campbell Trophy, which is an award that combines academics, community service and performance on the field. He also graduated from State cum laude in only three years.
He was drafted by the Patriots in the third round of the 2016 NFL Draft with the 78th pick. He was named to the 2016 Pro Football Writer's of America NFL All-Rookie Team that year.
Thus far in his NFL career, Thuney's made nearly $84 million dollars in nine seasons. Now that number could grow to $134,991.395 in Chicago. And at just 32 years old and still in in his prime, he might not be done after the year 2027 when he becomes an unrestricted free agent.
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