Introduction to the Bears’ Rebuild
The roots of the Bears’ rebuild that has them in position to “take the North” — possibly this weekend — after a disastrous 2024 season of discombobulation are pretty easy to trace:
- Lovie Smith’s Texans beating the Colts in Week 18 in 2022 to give the Bears’ the No. 1 pick in the 2023 draft.
- General manager Ryan Poles parlaying that pick into a haul from the Panthers that ultimately included the 2024 No. 1 overall pick the Bears used to get quarterback Caleb Williams, but also wide receiver DJ Moore, right tackle Darnell Wright, cornerback Tyrique Stevenson, punter Tory Taylor and wide receiver Luther Burden.
- The presence of Williams at quarterback being arguably the biggest lure in hiring Lions offensive coordinator Ben (“I want this job”) Johnson, the hottest coaching prospect in the 2025 hiring cycle.
The Acquisition of Joe Thuney
But after those three cornerstone events, the acquisition of All-Pro guard Joe Thuney in a trade with the Chiefs last offseason ranks as the biggest move by Poles that has accelerated the rebuild. Thuney has been as good as advertised. He’s not only playing at an All-Pro level at 33 and — knock on wood — playing virtually every snap this season, but in his own understated manner has provided leadership that has invigorated the offensive line as a unit and the offense, as well.
The Trade Details
The acquisition of Thuney was as fortuitous as it was deft for Poles. Thuney was at the top of his game in 2024, but the Chiefs were in a salary-cap crunch and prioritized 26-year-old right guard Trey Smith. They signed Smith to a four-year, $94 million extension with $70 million guaranteed.
Relationship and Negotiation
And with Thuney on the trading block, Poles’ relationship with Chiefs general manager Brett Veach, his former boss, as the Chiefs’ assistant director of player personnel likely put Poles first in line for a sweet deal — the best guard in the NFL for a fourth-round draft pick. What are friends for?
Impact of the Acquisition
Poles made the deal even better by signing Thuney to a two-year, $35 million extension through the 2027 season, when Thuney will be 35. To get a player of Thuney’s caliber without overpaying on any level is pretty rare.
Upgrade at Guard Position
The Thuney upgrade was particularly notable Sunday against the Browns, with former Bears guard Teven Jenkins — the player Thuney replaced — starting for the Browns.
Factors Contributing to the Bears’ Success
- Thuney’s presence has coincided with a big upgrade in continuity on the offensive line — another factor in the Bears’ success. In the Bears’ last 10 games, Thuney, center Drew Dalman, right guard Jonah Jackson and right tackle Darnell Wright have played 96.7% of the offensive snaps (621 of 642).
- Uncanny depth. Backups Nahshon Wright (nine), Gardner-Johnson and Jackson have combined for 13 of the Bears’ league-leading 30 takeaways this season.
- Improved running game. Led by D’Andre Swift and Kyle Monangai, Bears running backs are averaging 119.1 yards per game and 4.8 yards per carry — the most since the 2006 Super Bowl season with Thomas Jones and Cedric Benson, and the fourth-most since the Walter Payton era.
Conclusion
The acquisition of Joe Thuney has been a pivotal move in the Bears’ rebuild, providing a significant upgrade at the guard position and contributing to the team’s success. With Thuney’s leadership and the team’s improved continuity on the offensive line, the Bears are well-positioned for a deep postseason run and sustained success beyond this season.
FAQs
- Q: Who did the Bears acquire in a trade with the Chiefs?
A: The Bears acquired All-Pro guard Joe Thuney in a trade with the Chiefs. - Q: What was the terms of the trade?
A: The Bears traded a fourth-round draft pick to the Chiefs for Thuney. - Q: How has Thuney performed this season?
A: Thuney has played at an All-Pro level, playing virtually every snap this season and providing leadership that has invigorated the offensive line and the offense.
