July 13, 2026, 7:02 a.m. CT
The Chicago Bears got an absolute steal in All-Pro left guard Joe Thuney, who was acquired from the Kansas City Chiefs last offseason for a 2026 fourth-round pick. Thuney was arguable the best player on the roster last season, and he was key to the offense’s turnaround.
Thuney helped anchor one of the best offensive lines in the NFL, leading the way for the league’s third-best rushing attack and allowing the second-fewest sacks in the NFL. He played a key role in the Bears going 11-6, winning the NFC North and beating the Green Bay Packers in the wild-card playoffs. Thuney was named First-Team All-Pro and earned a Pro Bowl nod for his impressive outing in 2025. He also won the NFL’s inaugural “Protector of the Year” award.
Thuney still is one of the best offensive linemen in the league, so it’s not a surprise to see him ranked among ESPN’s top 10 interior offensive linemen in the NFL, as voted upon by NFL coaches and executives. Thuney landed at No. 5 on the list.
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’ Tyler Smith, Indianapolis’ 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.
