The Chicago Bears took advantage of Joe Thuney’s talent to the fullest last season, kicking the All-Pro left guard out to left tackle in the NFC Divisional Playoffs against the Los Angeles Rams, so they are well aware of how good he is as a player.
The NFL is a young man’s league, but veterans like Thuney continue to turn back the clock.
However, a recent poll of NFL figures penalized the four-time Pro Bowler, three-time first team All-Pro, and four-time Super Bowl champion for his experience.
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Thuney checked in fifth among interior linemen on ESPN’s poll of NFL executives, coaches, and scouts, per ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler on July 12, with the article noting that he is one spot higher than he was in 2025.
However, while Thuney ranked as high as first–which ultimately went to Dallas Cowboys guard Tyler Smith–he was also as low as unranked for at least one voter.
That disparity seems telling.
“33 years old,” Fowler said in a post on X in response to a fan’s question about Thuney’s ranking, with the NFL insider adding that “age can be a big factor in the voting,” which did not exactly square with some of ESPN’s other rankings.
The explanation in the piece was quite clear about Thuney, with an unnamed NFC executive saying the guard is “losing a little lateral quickness.”
Thuney will also turn 34 in November.
However, that same exec also said Thuney “is so technically sound and tough and sturdy and stronger than you’d think that it doesn’t really matter,” and that he was “awesome last year” for the Bears.
A defensive coordinator who faced the Bears last season said that Thuney “kicked our ass” in their matchup.
Despite his age and ranking, the respect around the league for Thuney is clear.
“Not many NFL players have aged better than Thuney, who led all guards in pass block win rate last season, his 10th in the league. One team executive said Thuney got the highest grade possible for a veteran guard last season,” Fowler wrote.
“Thuney also ranked third among guards in run block win rate (77%) while spearheading the Bears’ revamped interior offensive line.”
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Fellow Bears guard Jonah Jackson was among those “also receiving votes” in ESPN’s polling, making the Bears one of a handful of teams with multiple players named in the article in some capacity.
It is a significant development.
The Bears added both players during the 2025 offseason, acquiring Thuney in a trade with the Kansas City Chiefs and then doubling up, landing Jackson in deal with the Los Angeles Rams.
They also added Drew Dalman, signing him in free agency, but he suddenly retired following a Pro Bowl campaign in 2025, forcing the Bears into a reset at the position. The Bears acquired Garrett Bradbury in a trade with the New England Patriots this offseason to replace Dalman.
If that trade works out like their deals for Jackson and Thuney, the Bears will be in good shape.
If not, then the Bears will need rookie second-round pick Logan Jones to get up to speed quick enough to take over the pivot.
This comes as the Bears are expected to be without left tackle Ozzy Trapilo for most, if not all, of the 2026 season, leaving them to turn to former starter Braxton Jones and ex-Cleveland Browns first-round draft pick (10th overall in 2020) Jedrick Wills as options.
Sharp Football Analysis’ Warren Sharp ranked the Bears’ O-line sixth in the NFL on July 8.
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