30 Most Important Bears of 2025: Joe Thuney (No. 3)
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)
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