Joe Thuney has yet to play a snap for the Chicago Bears, but the front office is already handing out a 2 year, $35M extension to the veteran offensive lineman.
Thuney, who was acquired in an offseason trade with Kansas City, is set to become the highest-paid guard in NFL history if he plays out the lifetime of the contract. Of his upcoming $35M, $33.5M is guaranteed money.
Over the course of his 9 year NFL career, the 32 year old has won 4 Super Bowls, two with the Chiefs, and another two with the Patriots. He’s a 2x first team All-Pro, and 2x second team All-Pro selection, while also being named to the Pro Bowl in each of the past 3 seasons.
Across his 146 NFL games played, the former 3rd round pick out of NC State has started every contest in which he’s appeared. His positional versatility was a huge reason why the Chiefs were able to overcome multiple injuries along their offensive line in 2024, en route to yet another Super Bowl appearance.
Chicago’s rookie QB Caleb Williams was sacked a league high 68 times last season, which is why the front office invested heavily in the trenches this offseason. In addition to securing Thuney, the club also brought in guard Jonah Jackson in a separate trade with the Rams. They then drafted Boston College OL Ozzy Trapilo 56th overall, before taking Michigan State OL Luke Newman with the 195th pick.
In free agency the team brought in centre Drew Dalman on a 3 year, $42M contract, to complete the overhaul of the interior of their offensive line.
Chicago is set to open their 2025 NFL campaign at home against division rival Minnesota on September 8th in an 8:15pm ET prime time affair.
Photo: Airman First Class William Lunn. This image or file is a work of a U.S. Air Force Airman or employee, taken or made as part of that person’s official duties. As a work of the U.S. federal government, the image or file is in the public domain in the United States.