Sep 24, 2023; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs guard Joe Thuney (62) takes the field prior to a game against the Chicago Bears at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images Kansas City Chiefs left guard Joe Thuney is the subject of trade discussions and the Chicago Bears became the leading contender on Wednesday, according to multiple reports.
Thuney started at left tackle late in the season for the Chiefs and manned that spot for Kansas City in the Super Bowl LIX loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. The Bears agreed to a trade for Rams guard Jonah Jackson, parting with a 2025 sixth-round pick, according to multiple reports.
Terms of the deal between the Bears and Chiefs were not known. Deals cannot become official until the first day of the league year on March 12.
Bears general manager Ryan Poles previously was in the Chiefs’ personnel department and worked for Kansas City when the team signed Thuney as a free agent to a five-year, $80 million contract in 2021. He has one year remaining on that deal.
The Bears are working to settle an offensive line that became a concern in front of 2024 No. 1 pick Caleb Williams last season. New head coach Ben Johnson said last week at the combine he would have no reservations changing out three or four starting spots in the offseason, pointing out the example of the Carolina Panthers’ overhaul last offseason that included two massive additions at guard: free agents Robert Hunt (Dolphins) and Damien Lewis (Seahawks).
The Athletic reported Wednesday that New England was in the bidding to reacquire Thuney via trade.
Chiefs head coach Andy Reid said at the NFL Scouting Combine last week that Thuney is a natural “center-guard” and would not be used at left tackle in 2025.
The Chiefs have a number of moving parts on the line even after securing right guard Trey Smith with the franchise tag. One piece the team is lacking entering the offseason is a certain solution at left tackle.
Thuney, 32, is a two-time All-Pro and two-team second-team All-Pro with four Super Bowl rings — two with the Chiefs, two with the Patriots. He has played in 146 regular-season games since being drafted by New England 78th overall in 2016.
–Field Level Media
