Joe Thuney Earns #5 Spot on ESPN Guard Rankings

Thuney’s Key Role in Bears’ 2025 Turnaround

The Chicago Bears landed a franchise-building guard when they swapped a 2026 fourth‑round pick for Kansas City Chiefs veteran Joe Thuney. Thuney anchored one of the NFL’s top offensive lines, helping the Bears finish 11‑6, win the NFC North and defeat the Green Bay Packers in the wild‑card round. His performance contributed to the team’s third‑best rushing attack and the league’s second‑fewest sacks, showcasing his impact on the offense.

From Chiefs to Chicago: The Trade

Acquiring Thuney was described as an “absolute steal” for the Bears, and the move paid immediate dividends. The former Chief became a vocal leader on the interior line and was widely regarded as the best player on the roster during the 2025 season. His tenure with Chicago marked a turning point, steering the offensive line to new heights.

First‑Team All‑Pro Honors and Beyond

Thuney’s dominance was recognized across the league—he earned First‑Team All‑Pro, a Pro Bowl selection and the NFL’s inaugural “Protector of the Year” award. These accolades capped a season in which he consistently protected quarterback Caleb Williams and opened running lanes for the Bears’ ground game. The recognition underscored his reliability and versatility in pass protection and run blocking.

ESPN Rankings: Where Thuney Stands

Even after his stellar campaign, Thuney continued to be respected league‑wide. He landed at No. 5 on ESPN’s top‑10 interior offensive linemen list, which is voted on by NFL coaches and executives. Last year he was ranked sixth, showing a clear upward trajectory. Four players outranked him: Dallas’s Tyler Smith, Indianapolis’s Quenton Nelson, Kansas City’s Creed Humphrey and Denver’s Quinn Meinerz.

Includes quotes from league insiders highlighting his durability and impact:
“He’s losing a little lateral quickness, but he’s so technically sound and tough and sturdy and stronger than you’d think that it doesn’t really matter,” an NFC exec said. “He was awesome last year.”
“He kicked our ass last year,” added a veteran NFL defensive coach.

What NFL Insiders Are Saying

Thuney’s reputation among peers is evident from the candid feedback. One NFC executive praised his technical proficiency despite a minor loss in speed, while a defensive coach’s blunt assessment highlighted Thuney’s disruptive presence. Even right guard Jonah Jackson, who also joined Chicago’s interior line overhaul, received votes for the list, further evidence of the unit’s collective strength.

Here’s what NFL coaches and executives had to say about Thuney:

“He’s losing a little lateral quickness, but he’s so technically sound and tough and sturdy and stronger than you’d think that it doesn’t really matter,” an NFC exec said. “He was awesome last year.”

Added a veteran NFL defensive coach: “He kicked our ass last year.”

The four interior linemen who ranked higher than Thuney, 1-4: Dallas’s Tyler Smith, Indianapolis’s Quenton Nelson, Kansas City’s Creed Humphrey and Denver’s Quinn Meinerz. The highest ranking that Thuney received among coaches and executives was No. 1. Last year, Thuney landed at No. 6 on this list.

Right guard Jonah Jackson, who was also part of Chicago’s overhaul of the interior offensive line last offseason, didn’t make the top 10 or honorable mentions, but he did receive votes for this list.

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This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Where Bears LG Joe Thuney ranks among best interior offensive linemen