The Chicago Bears have secured veteran offensive lineman Joe Thuney by signing him to a two-year extension after acquiring him in a trade from the Kansas City Chiefs in March. Thuney expressed that the organization’s rich history and unique culture were major reasons he wanted to stay with the team.
“As the days rolled into weeks you realize this is a special place, special building, special history here and the people in the building make it even more special,”
Thuney said, via Scott Bair of Marquee Sports Network.
“I don’t know if there was an exact moment or anything. Pretty early on I could tell this is something I want to be a part of, something that I think could be really cool going forward.”
Veteran Leadership and Mentorship Within the Offensive Line
Beyond his role on the field, Thuney aims to be a guiding presence for younger players in the Bears’ offensive line room. He emphasized the importance of sharing his experience and developing routines that help his teammates improve throughout the season and offseason.
“I always want to be available for the guys in the O-line room,”
Thuney said.
“Whether it be plays or situations or time of year, anything. To talk about things I’ve seen, things I’ve been through and then try to get a routine with guys and work. Whether it be after practice or after meetings or whatever. You want to be a resource for the guys and show them my routine through the season, through the offseason. Like I said, the line room has been great, a lot of hardworking guys in there, a lot of guys that want to compete, want to play. It’s been going well.”
Impressions of Teammates and Growing Chemistry
Thuney also praised the work ethic and passion of center Drew Dalman and right guard Jonah Jackson, noting how dedicated they are to their personal and team development. This camaraderie has helped foster a positive environment for the offensive line group.
“Drew and Jonah are great guys, they work relentlessly – weight room, film room, every part of the game you can tell how passionate they are for the game,”
Thuney said.
“It’s cool that the guys would be here for a couple years. It’s been great working with them.”
Other NFL Updates: Exciting Progress for Lions and Vikings
Meanwhile, Lions offensive coordinator John Morton shared optimism about wide receiver Jameson Williams’ offseason progress, describing it as extraordinary.
“I’m so excited to see him this year because it’s gonna be a breakout year,”
Morton said, via Colton Pouncy of TheAthletic.com.
On a different note, the Vikings added undrafted defensive lineman Tyler Batty from BYU this offseason. Batty has made a significant personal impact by supporting Ed Lamb’s son, Edward, who is nonverbal and has autism, through a shared connection to horses on Batty’s farm. This bond inspired Batty to create a nonprofit called Edward’s Hands, focused on involving children with autism as ranch hands.
“That opened up a whole new world for me and my son,”
Ed Lamb said, via Alec Lewis of The Athletic. “It changed our lives.”
Regarding Batty’s role with the Vikings, his father, Layne Batty, recalled that during an early meeting the coaching staff made clear that all positions were open for competition.
“It all turned out good,” Layne said.
“Tyler told us that in one of the first meetings, the (Vikings) coaches said, ‘Every position is open. It’s yours for the taking. Who wants it? Who wants it the most?’”
The Road Ahead for Joe Thuney and the Bears
With Joe Thuney’s two-year extension, the Bears solidify an experienced leader who not only brings skill on the offensive line but also mentorship and continuity. His commitment signals confidence in the team’s direction and culture, highlighting the value the organization places on building around hard-working, passionate players. As the Bears prepare for upcoming seasons, Thuney’s influence on and off the field is likely to play a key role in the team’s development and success.