Ryan Poles spent weeks determining what free agency could look like on the offensive line market. It didn’t take long to realize the talent available wouldn’t come close to matching the money necessary to sign the top names. That meant the Chicago Bears GM would have to get creative if he wanted to upgrade the front five. In the span of 24 hours, he swung trades for Jonah Jackson and Joe Thuney, both former Pro Bowl guards. Thuney was by far the bigger shock. It was believed the Kansas City Chiefs wouldn’t let him leave since he was their best blocker. However, salary cap issues forced their hand.
While being traded is nothing new, even for great players, it must’ve been a shock for Thuney after years of incredible success. As it turns out, he may have sensed it come. Not only that, but Chiefs head coach Andy Reid revealed to former tight end Clay Harbor on The Better Angle that Chicago was a place the veteran guard wanted to go.
Joe Thuney likely had multiple reasons for wanting Chicago.
For one, they have the necessary cap space to pay him. He’s due an extension and Kansas City wasn’t equipped to give it to him. Another factor is Caleb Williams. Thuney has only played with great quarterbacks in his career, first with Tom Brady and then with Patrick Mahomes. He must have a high opinion of the Bears’ young quarterback if he green-lit the trade. Last but not least, he may want to play for a proven offensive mind. That is what he’d be doing with Ben Johnson in Chicago.
Yes, Joe Thuney will be 33 this year. He’s on the back nine of what could be a Hall of Fame career. There is no reason to suspect he is facing an imminent decline. Durable linemen tend to play well even into their mid-30s. If his health prevails, the Bears should get two or three more quality seasons from him. That would make the trade 100% worth it. Nobody can predict the future. All one can say is that Thuney wants to be here, and his presence should be a huge boost.
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Sally you should know better than to get into a battle of wits half armed
Keep meowing little pussy cat
And . . . . this is why coaching and talent acquisition is so damn important. The Bears are trying to create more of an age spread between players on their roster. Before, with all the incompetent coaches, to win, the had to acquire Pro Bowl quality players in free agency. Now with skill players in their youth, they are relying on coaches to get them to the Pro Bowl level in the shortest amount of time while paying Pro Bowl players immediately, but who’s contracts will expire in two or three years. If the can coach drafted players, they’ll… Read more »
Another bizarre comment by “dr” Dwight k Schrute
Chicago is an ascending team, as is Washington, and maybe Houston. QBs on their rookie contracts, so bottom line, he will get his money.
KC is descending strictly because Kelce is almost done, and he will be difficult to replace. Detroit is probably descending because we stole their OC.
Cleveland, Indy, and Atlanta are just dumb teams.
If Thuney wants to win another SB, there are other teams in the mix, but most have vet QBs that take up big money, and the bottom line, he will get his money.
KC is void and sterile. London has it all!
In far less time it takes driving from KC to St. Louis, I can fly to any major city in Europe and beyond.
Nono Bad Dufus should try to get out of Peoria a couple times a year to experience life. Perhaps vacation in KC for a week and take in the wonders.