Offensive linemen are often the unsung heroes of a team. The Chicago Bears certainly appreciated their talented offensive line last season, especially left guard Joe Thuney, who won the inaugural Protector of the Year award as the best offensive lineman in the league last season.
Thuney has been named a first-team All-Pro each of the past three seasons and was even in the top-10 in Offensive Player of the Year voting in 2024 in his final season with the Kansas City Chiefs. He was instrumental to the success of Chicago’s offense last season.
It is rare of have a talent like Thuney on the offensive line, and offensive coordinator Press Taylor often marvels at Thuney’s talent and professionalism.
“Honestly, you have to go back and be like, ‘Oh, I’ve got to remember to watch Joe.’ Because nothing pops. Joe didn’t get beat,” Taylor said. “You almost forget that those two guys were playing because Joe just eliminates somebody instantly. You’ve got to go back and really appreciate what he just did there. He’s got really, really strong hands. That’s the one thing we talk about. When he gets his hands on guys, the rush kind of stops. The movement stops. It’s really impressive with what he’s able to do.
“But what’s also impressive is the professionalism he plays with. The other day we were just joking. We’re in a walk-through to get ready for Cleveland. The guys that are going to play in the game are walking through. Obviously, Joe’s not paying, so he’s on the scout team defense. And he’s out there running around, goofing off, like blitzing as a nickel. And [QB] Case Keenum was sitting there like, ‘This guy’s won six Super Bowls, and he’s over here having the time of his life playing scout team nickel in a walkthrough right now.’ And so just you appreciate the professionalism, the look. It’s important to him to provide a good look for the young players, to kind of pour into them a little bit. And it’s really cool to see.”
The fact that Thuney was traded to the Bears for only a fourth-round pick is also something to marvel at. If he keeps up his current trajectory for the rest of his time in Chicago, that could end up going down as one of the best trades in Bears history.
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This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Press Taylor says he ‘marvels’ watching Bears LG Joe Thuney
Reporting by Ariana Pensy, Bears Wire / Bears Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Ariana Pensy, Bears Wire | USA TODAY Network
