The Bears traded for guard Joe Thuney in March with the belief they’d extend the four-time Super Bowl champion before the season — and the last year on his contract — began.
They crossed that off their list Tuesday morning, agreeing to a two-year extension, per his agent Mike McCartney. He’ll make $17.5 million per year on top of the $16 million he was set to make this season, a source said. He has $33.5 million fully guaranteed on a $51 million deal over the next three years and a lower cap hit this season as a result of the extension.
Thuney entered this season in the final year of a five-year deal that he originally signed with the Chiefs, who traded him to the Bears for a 2026 fourth-round draft pick in part for financial reasons.
Last month, general manager Ryan Poles said that giving Thuney an extension was “one of the priorities moving forward.”
The Bears welcomed Thuney as part of a rebuilt offensive line, even knowing an extension was likely necessary. The 32-year-old has been to three Pro Bowls and been named a first-team all-pro twice. He spent the first five years of his career with the Patriots. He’ll play left guard next to center Drew Dalman, the team’s big free agent acquisition. Dalman will have right guard Jonah Jackson, whom the Rams traded to the Bears, on his other side. All three are now signed through 2027.
In March, Thuney said he was happy to let his agent worry about extension talks.
“I’m grateful to be here and I’m pumped to play,” he said. “I’ll let the business side of it handle itself. Excited to get on the field with the guys … and I’m excited to start working. Just looking forward to it.”
