Thuney earned the award in his first season with the Bears, reinforcing an offensive line that struggled in 2024 and needed a proven guard to maximize their potential under new coach Ben Johnson. Thuney did just that, stabilizing the group and affording second-year quarterback Caleb Williams the time needed for him to blossom amid a memorable 11-6 finish and run to the Divisional Round of the NFC playoffs.
While Johnson stands as the symbol of Chicago’s turnaround, the Protector of the Year Award ensures Thuney is included among those deserving credit. He posted an overall Pro Football Focus grade of 79.4 — good for fifth among all NFL guards — and finished first in pass blocking, per PFF, underscoring his importance to one of the NFL’s most entertaining and explosive offenses.
A 10-year veteran, Thuney joined the Bears via offseason trade with the Kansas City Chiefs, with whom he’d spent the last four seasons and won two Super Bowls. Prior to his stint with the Chiefs, Thuney spent five seasons with the New England Patriots, winning his first two Super Bowls.
Although the 2025 won’t include another Super Bowl ring for his trophy case, Thuney will head home knowing he’s earned the respect of the most prestigious group of offensive linemen ever assembled to determine the best.
The winner was determined by an elite selection committee of NFL Legends: two-time Pro Bowler and position-specific training expert LeCharles Bentley, six-time All-Pro Jason Kelce, three-time Pro Bowler Shaun O’Hara, 2021 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year and Super Bowl LVI champion Whitworth, and Pro Football Hall of Famers Orlando Pace and Will Shields.
