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Joe Thuney's latest extension with the Chicago Bears proves GM Ryan Poles took the right approach in reinforcing the position this offseason

Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By Kole Noble | Last updated May 20, 2025 1:07 PM ET

When the pressure was cracked up to max, Chicago Bears' general manager Ryan Poles has stepped up to the challenge this offseason and continues to impress.

After hiring head coach Ben Johnson, many wondered if Poles will be around to help facilitate yet another rebuild with his second head coach. The team expressed confidence in Poles being the one to turn the ship around, and it's paying off.

The Bears latest extension with left guard Joe Thuney, who was acquired a few months back from the Kansas City Chiefs, might be Poles' best decision yet.

Not only did the Bears acquire the All-Pro talent for a future fourth-round pick, the new deal for Thuney makes everything look even better. Thuney signed a two-year extension that cut his 2025 cap hit in half while locking Thuney in through 2027. And even the price is a bargain for Chicago.

Thuney is set to earn $51 million over the next three seasons, an average of $17 million a year.

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Going into this offseason, finding a top-tier replacement at left guard was a major need up-front. At first, it seemed like the Bears would be big spenders in free agency to fill the position, potentially targeting top options such as Aaron Banks and Will Fries.

The thought of Thuney even being available via trade was a shock, and changed the entire outlook of the offseason plans.

"I thought it was going to get turned down, to be honest with you, and [the Chiefs] were just going to find a way [to keep him]," Poles explained.

Instead, Kansas City parted ways with the player Poles helped bring in to create a championship roster for the Chiefs. Thuney accomplished that, and now is looking to do the same for the Bears in Chicago.

But, let's get back to how this deal makes Ryan Poles look like a literal mastermind. Remember those two top left guard options in free agency, here's how those deals turned out on the open market with both players joining a division rival.

GB Aaron Banks: 4-year, $77 million (19.25 annually)

MIN Will Fries: 5-year, $88 million (17.6 annually)

Not to mention Fries and Banks combined to start 18 games in 2024. Thuney has started all 34 possible regular season games since 2023 and was named as a first-team All-Pro in each season. He's making $17 million annually for Chicago.

And for those saying Banks and Fries have more secure, and longer deals, Thuney's extension lines up perfectly with the Bears' desired window to maximize Caleb Williams' rookie contract.

Everything about this extension is a steal for the Bears, being able to lock in a top left guard on a really solid deal for the next three years. Even the trade itself was a steal considering the Bears were able to recoup another 2026 fourth-rounder by moving around the board in April's draft.

After all this, Joe Thuney should easily be considered Ryan Poles' crowning achievement as the general manager for the Chicago Bears.

This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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