The Chicago Bears may have lost to the San Francisco 49ers in a thriller on Sunday night, but they still managed to clinch the NFC North division title over the weekend courtesy of the Green Bay Packers’ loss to the Baltimore Ravens.
While quarterback Caleb Williams has been the star of the show for the Bears, it’s hard to ignore Chicago’s offensive line makeover as one of the top reasons why the team has ascended in 2025.
For reference, Williams was sacked 68 times during his rookie campaign. This year, that number has dipped to 2023.
Offensive guard Joe Thuney — who the Bears acquired in a trade with the Kansas City Chiefs back in March — has certainly been a big factor in the turnaround, having earned his fourth straight Pro Bowl nod while posting an 88.5 pass-blocking grade at Pro Football Focus, which is No. 1 among NFL guards.
But here’s the real kicker: Thuney has now won 136 games since entering the league as a third-round pick with the New England Patriots in 2016, the most of any player throughout that span.
North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Bill Belichick, who coached Thuney for five years with the Patriots, offered up a strong message on Thuney via text when prompted by Mike Sando of The Athletic. Needless to say, Belichick did not seem surprised at the statistic.
“I think Joe’s record speaks for itself,” Belichick said. “I can’t imagine that any player has a better record with three different organizations!”
Thuney not only has racked up victories like no one else, but he has also won five Super Bowl championships: two in New England, and three with the Chiefs.
The best part? Thuney seems to leave teams right before things unravel. He only spent one more season with the Pats following Tom Brady’s departure in 2020, and he was dealt from Kansas City just before the Chiefs’ collapse this year.
Obviously, the 33-year-old has been very fortunate, but there is no question that he has played a significant role in the success of all of his teams, as well.
The Bears are 11-5 and will face the Detroit Lions in their regular-season finale next Sunday.
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