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Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
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30 Most Important Bears of 2025: Joe Thuney (No. 3)
The Chicago Bears are gearing up for an exciting 2025 NFL season, which features some new faces within the organization poised to get the franchise back to its winning ways. That starts with the hiring of Ben Johnson as head coach, as well as overhauling the interior offensive line, adding pieces on defense and a potenital impactful rookie draft class. Every day from now right up through training camp, we're counting down our 30 Most Important Bears for the 2025 season. We'll recap their 2024 season, look ahead to 2025 and tackle the biggest question facing them this year. Next up at No. 3 is left guard Joe Thuney, who will be a key role in shoring up Chicago's offensive line and protecting quarterback Caleb Williams. Background Position: Left guard Age: 32 Experience: 10th season 2025 cap hit: $8 million 2024 recap Thuney has established himself as one of the best guards in the NFL, and he showcased why last season with the Kansas City Chiefs. Last season, Thuney started all 17 games for the Chiefs. While he played primarily at left guard, he kicked over to left tackle for three contests as Kansas City dealt with injuries along the offensive line. Thuney once again served as key protection for quarterback Patrick Mahomes as the Chiefs once again made a Super Bowl appearance. Thuney was named to the Pro Bowl and earned a First-Team All-Pro nod for his 2024 outing. 2025 outlook The Bears focused on overhauling the offensive line this offseason, including the additions of guard Jonah Jackson (via trade) and center Drew Dalman (in free agency). But their biggest addition was Thuney, who was acquired in exchange for a 2026 fourth-round pick. Shortly after, Chicago signed him to a two-year, $35 million deal to keep him through 2027. Thuney has the potential to have the biggest impact given his resume and proven production. He's coming off an All-Pro season where he even kicked out to left tackle, but he thrived at left guard protecting Patrick Mahomes. Now, Thuney brings that experience, production and leadership to a revamped Chicago offensive line that will be crucial to quarterback Caleb Williams' success. And if rookie Ozzy Trapilo wins the starting left tackle job, Thuney will be even more crucial for Trapilo as he acclimates to the pro game. The Bears will only go as far as Williams takes them. And Williams will only go as far as his offensive line allows. Thuney will play an integral role in the offensive line's success. Big question: Can Thuney continue to be a top NFL guard in Chicago? The Bears invested a lot in Thuney -- a fourth round pick in 2026 and $33.5 million guaranteed -- so they're banking on him to serve an integral role along the offensive line. Thuney is a two-time First-Team All-Pro, three-time Pro Bowler and four-time Super Bowl winner and one of the best guards in the entire NFL. Thuney's an elite pass blocker and has been the best pass-blocking guard, per Pro Football Focus, since 2021 with a 90.2 grade. But the question remains whether Thuney will continue that level of play outside of a winning organization like Kansas City. Chicago overhauled the entire interior offensive line, and Thuney will serve as an anchor in the trenches when it comes to protecting quarterback Caleb Williams. 30 Most Important Bears of 2025 #30 - RB Roschon Johnson #29 - QB Case Keenum #28 - K Cairo Santos #27 - DT Andrew Billings #26 - CB Tyrique Stevenson #25 - WR Luther Burden III #24 - RG Jonah Jackson #23 - LB Tremaine Edmunds #22 - DE Dayo Odeyingbo #21 - S Kevin Byard #20 - S Jaquan Brisker #19 - LB T.J. Edwards #18 - TE Cole Kmet #17 - DT Grady Jarrett #16 - DT Gervon Dexter #15 - RB D'Andre Swift #14 - TE Colston Loveland #13 - OT Ozzy Trapilo #12 - OT Braxton Jones #11 - WR DJ Moore #10 CB Kyler Gordon #9 - OT Darnell Wright #8 - DE Montez Sweat #7 - C Drew Dalman #6 - CB Jaylon Johnson #5 - WR Rome Odunze #4 - DC Dennis Allen #3 - LG Joe Thuney #2 - Coming 7/28 #1 - Coming 7/29 This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Most Important Bears of 2025: Joe Thuney (No. 3)
Yahoo
18-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Falcons' Chris Lindstrom voted top interior offensive lineman by AP
Chris Lindstrom has spent much of his six-year career under the radar playing for an Atlanta team that hasn't made the postseason since 2017. But Lindstrom's play deserves much more attention as his ability to create holes in the run game and protect the passer is a key part to Atlanta's offensive production. Lindstrom has been the top-graded guard by Pro Football Focus for three straight seasons and has won the honor of being voted the top interior offensive lineman in the league by The Associated Press. A panel of eight AP Pro Football Writers ranked the top five players among guards and centers, basing selections on current status entering the 2025 season. First-place votes were worth 10 points. Second through fifth-place votes were worth 5, 3, 2 and 1 points. Lindstrom got three first place-votes, two seconds and one third to beat out Joe Thuney for the top spot. Thuney, who was traded from Kansas City to Chicago this offseason, got two first-place votes, one second, three thirds and one fourth to finish second. Kansas City center Creed Humphrey got two first-place votes and finished third and Denver's Quinn Meinerz got the other first-place vote and came in fourth. Indianapolis' Quenton Nelson rounded out the top five. Baltimore Tyler Linderbaum, Philadelphia's Landon Dickerson and Cam Jurgens, Baltimore's Daniel Faalele and recently retired former Detroit center Frank Ragnow also received votes. 1. CHRIS LINDSTROM, Atlanta Falcons Lindstrom has allowed just three sacks and 37 pressures on true pass sets the past three seasons, according to PFF, and has been a steady presence on Atlanta's offense. But Lindstrom really shines at run blocking when his ability to get in space on zone runs has helped fuel Bijan Robinson's success. 2. JOE THUNEY, Chicago Bears Thuney has been one of the top guards in the league ever since being drafted by New England in 2016. He has been a first-team All-Pro the past two seasons in Kansas City and helped the Chiefs and Patriots reach the Super Bowl six times in his nine seasons. Thuney was forced to move out to tackle late last season for Kansas City, but will be back at guard as a key piece in Chicago following on offseason trade. 3. CREED HUMPHREY, Kansas City Chiefs The Chiefs were willing to part with Thuney in part because they were strong at the other interior spots led by Humphrey at center. Humphrey has taken the mantle from Jason Kelce as the top center in the league and made first-team All-Pro for the first time last season. Humphrey hasn't missed a game in four seasons and excels at both run and pass blocking. 4. QUINN MEINERZ, Denver Broncos After being drafted in the third round from Division III Wisconsin-Whitewater in 2021, Meinerz has made steady progress each season and earned first-team All-Pro honors in 2024 to get on this list. Meinerz allowed just 12 pressures last season, according to PFF, and is a violent blocker in the run game. 5. QUENTON NELSON, Indianapolis Colts Nelson's play has dropped a little in recent years but the 29-year-old is still one of the top guards in the league. He was an All-Pro his first three seasons after being drafted sixth overall in 2018 and earned second-team All-Pro honors for the second time in his career last season. Nelson has made the Pro Bowl all seven seasons. ___ AP NFL: Josh Dubow, The Associated Press
Associated Press
18-07-2025
- Sport
- Associated Press
Falcons' Chris Lindstrom voted top interior offensive lineman by AP
Chris Lindstrom has spent much of his six-year career under the radar playing for an Atlanta team that hasn't made the postseason since 2017. But Lindstrom's play deserves much more attention as his ability to create holes in the run game and protect the passer is a key part to Atlanta's offensive production. Lindstrom has been the top-graded guard by Pro Football Focus for three straight seasons and has won the honor of being voted the top interior offensive lineman in the league by The Associated Press. A panel of eight AP Pro Football Writers ranked the top five players among guards and centers, basing selections on current status entering the 2025 season. First-place votes were worth 10 points. Second through fifth-place votes were worth 5, 3, 2 and 1 points. Lindstrom got three first place-votes, two seconds and one third to beat out Joe Thuney for the top spot. Thuney, who was traded from Kansas City to Chicago this offseason, got two first-place votes, one second, three thirds and one fourth to finish second. Kansas City center Creed Humphrey got two first-place votes and finished third and Denver's Quinn Meinerz got the other first-place vote and came in fourth. Indianapolis' Quenton Nelson rounded out the top five. Baltimore Tyler Linderbaum, Philadelphia's Landon Dickerson and Cam Jurgens, Baltimore's Daniel Faalele and recently retired former Detroit center Frank Ragnow also received votes. 1. CHRIS LINDSTROM, Atlanta Falcons Lindstrom has allowed just three sacks and 37 pressures on true pass sets the past three seasons, according to PFF, and has been a steady presence on Atlanta's offense. But Lindstrom really shines at run blocking when his ability to get in space on zone runs has helped fuel Bijan Robinson's success. 2. JOE THUNEY, Chicago Bears Thuney has been one of the top guards in the league ever since being drafted by New England in 2016. He has been a first-team All-Pro the past two seasons in Kansas City and helped the Chiefs and Patriots reach the Super Bowl six times in his nine seasons. Thuney was forced to move out to tackle late last season for Kansas City, but will be back at guard as a key piece in Chicago following on offseason trade. 3. CREED HUMPHREY, Kansas City Chiefs The Chiefs were willing to part with Thuney in part because they were strong at the other interior spots led by Humphrey at center. Humphrey has taken the mantle from Jason Kelce as the top center in the league and made first-team All-Pro for the first time last season. Humphrey hasn't missed a game in four seasons and excels at both run and pass blocking. 4. QUINN MEINERZ, Denver Broncos After being drafted in the third round from Division III Wisconsin-Whitewater in 2021, Meinerz has made steady progress each season and earned first-team All-Pro honors in 2024 to get on this list. Meinerz allowed just 12 pressures last season, according to PFF, and is a violent blocker in the run game. 5. QUENTON NELSON, Indianapolis Colts Nelson's play has dropped a little in recent years but the 29-year-old is still one of the top guards in the league. He was an All-Pro his first three seasons after being drafted sixth overall in 2018 and earned second-team All-Pro honors for the second time in his career last season. Nelson has made the Pro Bowl all seven seasons. ___ AP NFL:
Yahoo
30-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Bears' Joe Thuney, Jonah Jackson dubbed NFL's best guard duo
The Chicago Bears made a concerted effort to improve their offensive line this offseason after quarterback Caleb Williams was sacked a league-high 68 times during his rookie season. The Bears completely overhauled the interior, which started with the trades for All-Pro guard Joe Thuney and former Pro Bowl guard Jonah Jackson. They signed center Drew Dalman in free agency while drafting Ozzy Trapilo, who's a contender to start at left tackle as a rookie. Advertisement But it's the duo of Thuney and Jackson that's garnering high praise from those around the league, where Pro Football Focus dubbed the pair the NFL's best guard duo entering the 2025 season. While there's no denying Thuney is one of the league's best, PFF believes Jackson could find his stride, as he's reunited with Ben Johnson in Chicago, and make this 1-2 punch the most formidable. "The NFL seems to lack an elite guard duo right now, but the Bears' offseason acquisitions on the interior profile as the league's best," writes Buday. "Jackson played only 267 snaps with the Rams in 2024 and was benched despite having signed a big contract last offseason. In previous years, he ranked among the top 30 guards in PFF overall grade multiple times under then-Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, who is now the Chicago Bears' head coach. Slightly above-average play from Jackson could be enough to make this duo the best in the NFL. "Joe Thuney is arguably the best pass-blocking guard in the NFL. Before moving to left tackle in 2024, he was playing some of the best football of his career. Between Week 5 and Week 12, he allowed only one pressure on 316 pass plays and earned a 95.6 PFF pass-blocking grade, which led all guards by a significant margin." Thuney is a two-time First-Team All-Pro, three-time Pro Bowler and four-time Super Bowl winner and one of the best guards in the entire NFL. Thuney's an elite pass blocker and has been the best pass-blocking guard, per Pro Football Focus, since 2021 with a 90.2 grade. Jackson, a Pro Bowl selection in 2021, is a versatile offensive lineman who has played all three positions along the interior and brings experience alongside right tackle Darnell Wright. Advertisement If the Bears offensive line shows improvement this season, the sky's the limit for this offense with Williams under center and Johnson calling the shots on offense. Follow Bears Wire on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Bears' Joe Thuney, Jonah Jackson dubbed NFL's best guard duo
Yahoo
27-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Chiefs Urged To Sign $23.4 Million Star To Complete Offseason
Chiefs Urged To Sign $23.4 Million Star To Complete Offseason originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Kansas City Chiefs have already seen their offensive line be the talk of the town, and that was due to the incomings this offseason, but guard Trey Smith is also in the news. Advertisement Currently slated to play on the franchise tag, which is a cool $23.4 million, in an ideal world, an extension would be on the way. Per Over The Cap, the Chiefs have $10.8 million on cap space, so a deal for Smith might be a little tricky, so general manager Brett Veach might have to do some cap gymnastics to get it over the line. And for ESPN, the one thing left on Kansas City's to-do list is to sign Trey to a long-term deal. "The Chiefs already decided between Joe Thuney and Smith," ESPN writes. "They could pay only one of them, so Thuney was sent to Chicago and they kept the younger Smith. Right now, Smith is set to play on the franchise tag for 2025 and then become a free agent again in 2026. We know that's not going to happen. The Chiefs need to get the extension worked out and lock one of the league's top interior linemen down for the next few seasons." Kansas City Chiefs guard Trey Smith (65) leaves the field against the Washington Commanders after a game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Medley/Imagn Images Per Smith has a market value of $19.7 million APY, and an expected contract of four years at $78.8 million. Advertisement Will the Chiefs be fine with that? We think so, and based on how the line performed last year, with Smith being one of the best at his position, it seems logical that both sides will work something out. The salary cap constraints make it a little tricky, but we know that if teams want to, they will. Therefore, the next couple of weeks are crucial in determining how Smith's future as a Chief unfolds. Related: Chiefs' Xavier Worthy Predicted To Go 'Ballistic' In 2025 Related: Chiefs Urged To Consider Kyle Pitts Trade As Travis Kelce Successor This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 27, 2025, where it first appeared.
