The Chicago Bears have made a major move to reinforce the heart of their offensive line, inking veteran guard Joe Thuney to a two-year contract extension. The deal, which was confirmed by the team Thursday morning, will keep the five-time Pro Bowler in Chicago through the 2027 NFL season and further solidifies a rapidly improving front tasked with protecting franchise quarterback Caleb Williams.
Thuney’s new contract is worth a reported $37 million, with $26 million guaranteed, making him one of the highest-paid interior linemen in the league. The deal is both a reward for his stellar play and an investment in continuity for a Bears offensive line that has grown into one of the NFL’s most reliable units. General manager Ryan Poles, a former offensive lineman himself, made it clear that bolstering the trenches would remain a top priority — and with this extension, he’s delivering on that commitment.
Originally acquired via trade from the Kansas City Chiefs in March of 2025, Thuney quickly became a cornerstone in the Bears’ offensive strategy. While his acquisition at the time was viewed as a savvy move to inject experience and toughness into a relatively young line, few predicted just how significant his impact would be. Thuney brought a wealth of playoff experience and an unmatched football IQ to the locker room, and those intangibles translated almost instantly on the field.
In his first season with the Bears, Thuney started all 17 regular-season games and allowed just one sack, anchoring a unit that surrendered the fewest sacks in the NFC. His presence helped stabilize the interior, allowing rookie center Sedrick Van Pran and second-year right guard Teven Jenkins to flourish alongside him. Together, the trio formed one of the most formidable interiors in football, giving the Bears a strong pocket and paving the way for a resurgent run game.
Caleb Williams, the Bears’ No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, has repeatedly expressed his appreciation for Thuney’s leadership and communication at the line of scrimmage. In a league where young quarterbacks often struggle under pressure, Williams has had the luxury of operating behind a clean pocket and a cohesive unit — a luxury largely afforded by Thuney’s consistency and command.
“It’s a blessing to have Joe up front,” Williams said in a post-practice interview on Thursday. “He’s like another coach on the field. He sees everything before it happens and makes sure we’re all on the same page. I’ve learned a lot from him already, and knowing he’s going to be here for the next couple of years — it gives me a ton of confidence.”
For Thuney, the decision to stay in Chicago was a straightforward one. Now entering his 10th NFL season, the veteran has already accomplished plenty — including three Super Bowl rings from his time with the New England Patriots and the Kansas City Chiefs. But at 32, he says he still has plenty left in the tank and sees something special brewing in the Windy City.
“When I got here, I could tell this team was different,” Thuney said. “The guys here are hungry. There’s a vision in place, and everyone’s pulling in the same direction. It’s exciting to be part of something that’s building toward a championship, and I want to help lead the way.”
Thuney’s leadership has been particularly instrumental in the development of young players like Jenkins and Van Pran, as well as left tackle Braxton Jones, who continues to emerge as a high-level blindside protector. Head coach Matt Eberflus has praised Thuney’s professionalism and attention to detail, calling him “the heartbeat of our offensive line.”
“You talk about culture and accountability — Joe Thuney is the blueprint,” Eberflus said. “He shows up every day, puts in the work, and brings others along with him. He’s made a huge difference in our locker room, not just in terms of performance, but in how he sets the standard for everyone else.”
The extension also reflects a broader strategy shift in Chicago. Rather than letting veterans walk in free agency, the Bears are now prioritizing retention and continuity, particularly in areas that directly affect the development of their young quarterback. By keeping Thuney in the fold, the Bears avoid the need to search for a new starter at left guard in 2026 and ensure that Williams continues to have a stable pocket in which to grow.
From a cap management perspective, the deal was also structured in a way that provides the team with flexibility. While Thuney is among the league’s best-paid guards on an annual basis, the Bears front-loaded the guaranteed money and built in performance-based incentives that reward durability and production. The structure allows Chicago to remain aggressive in free agency while still rewarding one of their most dependable players.
It’s a win-win — for Thuney, who secures both financial security and a key role on an ascending team, and for the Bears, who lock in elite talent at a premium position without compromising their cap flexibility. The deal was praised by analysts and former players alike, many of whom consider it a model for how to reward veteran players who still have elite-level play to offer.
Thuney’s football journey has been marked by consistency and excellence. A third-round pick out of NC State in 2016, he started all 80 games in his first five seasons with the Patriots, earning two Super Bowl rings and a reputation as one of the league’s most fundamentally sound guards. After signing a lucrative five-year deal with Kansas City in 2021, he added another Super Bowl ring to his collection and was widely viewed as the glue that held the Chiefs’ line together during their championship run.
Now, in Chicago, he’s playing perhaps the best football of his career. Pro Football Focus ranked Thuney as the No. 2 guard in the league last season, giving him elite marks in both pass-blocking and run-blocking. More importantly, he brought a level of toughness and reliability to a team that had struggled for years to find consistency up front.
For the Bears, this move represents more than just a contract extension — it’s a signal of intent. After years of mediocrity and missed opportunities, the franchise is finally beginning to resemble the championship-caliber operation its fans have longed for. With Caleb Williams at the helm, a fortified offensive line, and a young, fast defense, Chicago has assembled the kind of balanced roster that can contend in the NFC for years to come.
The Thuney extension also sends a message to the rest of the league: the Bears are no longer rebuilding — they’re building something sustainable, and they’re doing it the right way. By locking in their core pieces and investing in the fundamentals, they’re setting a foundation that could carry them deep into January — and perhaps even beyond.
For now, Thuney will return to his familiar role: the steady, unshakable presence in the middle of the Bears’ offensive line. He doesn’t seek headlines or accolades, but his impact is undeniable. With a decade of experience, three Super Bowl rings, and a new deal in hand, Joe Thuney remains one of the most respected and effective linemen in the NFL.
