When the Chicago Bears gave up a league-high 68 sacks last season, it was clear that offensive line help wasn’t just a priority; it was a necessity. General manager Ryan Poles responded aggressively, pulling off two trades that have completely reshaped the identity of the Bears’ offensive line. In separate deals, Poles acquired guards Joe Thuney from the Kansas City Chiefs and Jonah Jackson from the Los Angeles Rams, giving up only mid-to-late-round picks in return.
Six games into the season, both trades are paying dividends for the Bears.
Joe Thuney: A Veteran Presence Paying Immediate Dividends
GettyJoe Thuney #62 of the Chicago Bears.
Landing Joe Thuney from the Chiefs for only a 2026 fourth-round pick is looking like one of the steals of the 2025 offseason.
Through the first six games, Thuney has played 364 snaps and hasn’t allowed a single sack or penalty. That’s insane.
He’s only surrendered just one quarterback hit and three hurries, all of which came in Week 1, and he’s since settled in as the Bears’ most reliable protector. According to ESPN’s analytics, Thuney ranks fourth among all guards in pass block win rate (97%), trailing only Creed Humphrey (99%), Brady Christensen (99%), and Connor McGovern (98%).
Beyond the statistics, Thuney’s impact on the locker room and the line’s chemistry can’t be overstated. His presence has elevated the play of those around him, setting a standard for technique, communication, and discipline.
His two-year, $35 million extension, with $33.5 million guaranteed, not only locked in an elite interior lineman and future Hall of Famer but Poles’ also reduced his 2025 salary cap number by $8 million — a smart move to preserve financial flexibility while rewarding his performance.
All the cost of one Day 3 draft pick, the Bears added one of the best guards in football, who’s playing at an All-Pro level. Simply put, this deal looks like a franchise-altering acquisition.
Jonah Jackson: The Underrated Anchor Playing an Unfamiliar Position
GettyRome Odunze #15 and Jonah Jackson #73 of the Chicago Bears celebrate after a touchdown.
While Thuney has garnered much of the spotlight, Jonah Jackson has been equally vital in transforming the Bears’ protection up front. Acquired from the Rams in exchange for a 2025 sixth-round pick (via Pittsburgh), Jackson has proved a lot of doubters wrong after a shaky year in Los Angeles.
Jackson has played every offensive snap at a position he has little experience in, going from mostly playing at left guard during his time with the Detroit Lions to switching over to right guard in Chicago. He’s only allowed one sack, zero quarterback hits, and 10 hurries in 367 total snaps through six games — half of which came in Week 1 as he adjusted to his new surroundings. His blend of power and balance has solidified the left guard spot, helping the Bears’ offensive line establish consistency on both running and passing downs.
After the trade, Chicago rewarded Jackson with a three-year, $54.5 million contract, including $29.75 million guaranteed and a $10.5 million signing bonus. The investment has paid off immediately.
Jackson’s ability to anchor in pass protection and create movement in the run game has helped elevate the Bears to 8th in pass block win rate (66%) and 5th in run block win rate (74%) league-wide, representing a significant improvement from last year’s unit, which was routinely overwhelmed.
Ryan Poles’ Trades Paying Off
The contrast is striking: a season ago, Chicago’s offensive line was an ongoing liability, surrendering 68 sacks. Through six games this year, that number has plummeted to just 11. Granted, there are still 11 games left, but it’s a remarkable turnaround in just one offseason.
For the price of two late-round picks and $89.5 million invested in two players, the Bears acquired two fantastic guards who have transformed one of the league’s worst offensive lines into a top-tier unit.
If this level of play continues, both Thuney and Jackson could end up as heroes for the city of Chicago.
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