How Chicago Bears’ Joe Thuney contract might go down in the record books

Joe Thuney was among the Chicago Bears‘ centerpiece acquisitions during a torrid offseason overhaul, especially along the offensive line, and Tuesday, the franchise ensured the All-Pro won’t be going anywhere for a while.

Thuney and the Bears agreed to terms on a two-year contract extension worth upwards of $35 million, locking in one of the premier offensive guards in the league to protect quarterback Caleb Williams through at least the 2027 season. After putting pen to paper on his new deal, Thuney has the opportunity to make history.

The 32-year-old two-time All-Pro and four-time Super Bowl champion could become the highest-earning guard in the history of the NFL. Prior to agreeing to terms on his new extension, Thuney had already collected $83.9 million in career earnings.

As Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer points out, should Thuney play out his entire contract with the Bears, he’ll have earned upwards of $130 million since being tagged by the New England Patriots back in 2020.

Joe Thuney Fired Up to Play for Chicago Bears Coach Ben Johnson

One of the most consistently dominant offensive guards of his generation, Thuney has won Super Bowls playing for future Hall of Famers Bill Belichick, with the New England Patriots, and Andy Reid’s Kansas City Chiefs.

Shortly after being traded to the Chicago Bears earlier this spring, Thuney revealed why he’s so optimistic and excited to play for new head coach Ben Johnson.

“Just watching Detroit’s offense over the years, every week it’s 30, 40 points with really great, creative plays,” Thuney told reporters. “It’s just an offense you want to be a part of. He has such a clear communicative way of describing what he wants, and you can just tell the passion and the love for the game (he has). It’s infectious. I think everyone around him feels it. It’s a coach you want to play for.”

Dropping Thuney alongside stalwart center Drew Dalman and opposite veteran guard Jonah Jackson completes an overhaul of the interior offensive line that the Bears are banking on unlocking both quarterback Caleb Williams’ full potential and the upside of Johnson’s possibly prolific offense.

Johnson helped the Lions become the most prolific offense in the sport last season, and the Bears have wasted little time both adding potentially explosive weapons and fortifying one of the league’s leakiest offensive lines this offseason, but few additions have the chance to be more impactful than Thuney.