The Chicago Bears promised to revamp the offensive line in Ben Johnson’s first season. They didn’t even wait until free agency to make moves.
The Bears are expected to trade for Chiefs All-Pro guard Joe Thuney in exchange for a 2026 fourth-round pick, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported on Wednesday, per sources informed of the situation.
The deal for Thuney, which won’t be official until the start of the new league year on March 12, comes on the heels of Chicago agreeing to a trade for Los Angeles Rams guard Jonah Jackson.
In two days, Chicago has completely revamped the interior of its offensive line, adding Pro Bowl talents who, if healthy, will massively boost the pocket in front of Caleb Williams.
The 32-year-old Thuney remains one of the top guards in the NFL, able to shield the pocket and blow open lanes in the run game. With issues at left tackle in 2024, the Chiefs swung the guard outside to stabilize Patrick Mahomes’ blind side. The move helped shore up the LT spot but left K.C. wanting on the interior.
Thuney has one year left on his contract with a base salary of $15.5 million. The Chiefs save $16 million on the salary cap with the trade. He could see a contract extension in Chicago that Kansas City, with its cap situation, would have had a hard time conjuring.