The Chicago Bears secured Joe Thuney last offseason with a surprising but strategic trade, acquiring the two-time First Team All-Pro guard from the Kansas City Chiefs for a fourth-round pick. Thuney’s consistent performance throughout the season, including near-perfect protection in the playoffs, earned him the NFL’s inaugural Protector of the Year award, highlighting his vital role in the Bears’ offensive line rebuild.
Joe Thuney’s Impact with the Chicago Bears
Joe Thuney was exactly what the Chicago Bears needed this season, demonstrating remarkable durability by missing very few snaps. His proficiency was reflected in Pro Football Focus’ (PFF) rankings, where he placed as the fifth-highest graded guard overall and earned the top pass-blocking grade at his position. During the Divisional Round loss against the Los Angeles Rams, Thuney stepped in for the injured Ozzie Trapilo by moving to left tackle and successfully prevented any quarterback sacks, underscoring his flexibility and skill.
Why Joe Thuney Earned the Protector of the Year Award
The NFL introduced the Protector of the Year award to spotlight outstanding offensive linemen, and Thuney was a natural recipient of this prestigious honor at the NFL Honors ceremony. Although some may view the selection as contentious for other finalists, Joe Thuney’s season-long performance clearly set him apart.
Analysis of Thuney’s Exceptional Performance by Pro Football Focus
Pro Football Focus analyst Zoltan Buday offered an in-depth review of Thuney’s accomplishments, emphasizing his historic dominance in pass protection. Buday noted,
The 10-year NFL veteran has been arguably the best pass-blocking guard in the NFL for years — and there’s a strong case he’s been the best pass-blocking offensive lineman, regardless of position. Since 2018, he has earned a 91.4 PFF pass-blocking grade, the highest among all guards over that span. He has allowed a quarterback knockdown — defined as a sack or quarterback hit — on just 0.7% of his pass-blocking snaps, the third-lowest rate in the league, and has surrendered pressure on only 3.3% of his 6,189 pass-blocking snaps, which is both the largest workload by a significant margin and the third-best pressure rate.
Buday also highlighted Thuney’s rare achievement among guards in 2025, stating,
Perhaps most remarkably, of the 65 guards who logged at least 300 pass-blocking snaps in 2025, Thuney was the only one who did not allow a single sack. That achievement is even more impressive given his workload, as he handled 686 pass-blocking snaps, the fourth-most at the position.
Thuney’s excellence extends beyond pass protection. Buday pointed out,
While Thuney is best known for his dominance in pass protection, he has also been remarkably reliable as a run blocker. Among the 84 guards who logged at least 100 run-blocking snaps during the 2025 regular season, he was one of just four to earn a negative PFF grade on fewer than 10% of those plays. His 8.9% negative-grade rate was the lowest among all guards and ranked seventh among all offensive linemen.
Career Highlights That Suggest a Hall of Fame Future
Beyond his 2025 season, Thuney’s career features significant achievements that bolster his Hall of Fame credentials. He has been a crucial contributor to two NFL dynasties, winning four Super Bowl rings between the New England Patriots and Kansas City Chiefs over the past decade. His resilience is notable with just two missed games during his entire career.
Despite being 33 years old with two years remaining on his current contract, Thuney’s performance remains at an elite level, signaling he is far from retirement. Buday captured this perspective on Thuney’s legacy when he said,
Now, after capping his career with an individual honor as the inaugural Protector of the Year, Thuney’s résumé reflects more than just sustained excellence — it reflects historic dominance. At this point, his inclusion among future Hall of Famers feels not just appropriate, but overdue.
Given his combination of individual skill, consistency, and championship success, the pathway to recognition in Canton seems inevitable for Thuney. Some speculate he may even earn another Super Bowl ring as a Bear before his career concludes, further cementing his legacy.
Joe Thuney’s career trajectory perfectly exemplifies the traits sought in Hall of Fame inductees, linking outstanding individual performance with team triumphs. His Protector of the Year trophy not only honors his current mastery but also hints at his future enshrinement among the NFL’s greats.
