Joe Thuney extension with Bears highlights Chiefs’ risky bet on youthful o-line

The Chicago Bears only needed a few months to realize they needed to lock up Joe Thuney for longer than the one year left on his contract when they acquired him. On Tuesday, the Bears found a way to keep him in the Windy City beyond 2025.

NFL reporter Ian Rapoport broke the news that Thuney and the Bears have agreed to a two-year contract extension, which should keep the All-Pro lineman protecting Caleb Williams through the 2027 season.

The Bears have undergone a complete offensive line reinvention in 2025, a move that was much needed after watching Williams suffer through a rookie season marked by constant pressure. Some of that was on the Bears' franchise quarterback, but the team needed to upgrade several spots up front and general manager Ryan Poles made it his major focus this offseason.

The Chicago Bears might have just made their smartest move of the offseason.

The Bears' trade for Thuney with the Kansas City Chiefs was the centerpiece of that offseason strategy. Poles seized on the rare opportunity to add a proven talent like Thuney with plenty left in the tank for a mere fourth-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. And for his efforts, he now has a new anchor along the offensive interior who comes with four Super Bowl rings.

Not only did the Bears deal for Thuney this spring, but Poles also landed another guard in Jonah Jackson in a trade. He signed Drew Dalman in free agency as well to take over center, which means the Bears will have a completely new interior in front of Williams this fall.

While Thuney is definitely on the back nine of his NFL career, after having played 168 total games in 9 seasons, he's performed at a sustained elite level for that entire time. For the Chiefs, Thuney was a cornerstone in front of Patrick Mahomes, a player who went to three Pro Bowls and was named All-pro three times in four seasons.

The Chiefs were forced to trade Thuney while facing financial hurdles and questions around the future of right guard Trey Smith. Given that Smith was just 25 years old, the Chiefs could either invest in their former sixth-round pick (a Pro Bowler himself) or go with the elder Thuney. However, having two high-priced guards, in addition to the lucrative contract already given to center Creed Humphrey, just didn't make sense for K.C.

In Thuney's absence, the Chiefs now face some uncertainty at a position that's been rock solid for several seasons. Kingsley Suamataia is the assumed starter in Thuney's place, but nothing is set and others will be competing for that same starting slot at left guard. Mike Caliendo, C.J. Hanson, Hunter Nourzad, and others will also be in the competitive mix.

The Chiefs will likely keep winning, but there's also no denying they will miss Thuney's talents, leadership, and reliable presence up front. It's a new era for both teams, and the Bears made sure that stint will last longer than just a single season. It might be the smartest move they make this offseason.