Chiefs trade Joe Thuney to Bears, source confirms
Thuney became a two-time All-Pro in Kansas City
Kansas City will have a new starting left guard in 2025.
The Chiefs on Wednesday traded two-time All Pro guard Joe Thuney to the Chicago Bears in exchange for a 2026 fourth-round pick, a source familiar with the situation confirmed with KC Sports Network.
The NFL Network first reported the news.
The move projects to free up $16 million in cap space ahead of the start of free agency, which kicks off on March 12, and comes on the heels of the Chiefs placing the franchise tag on right guard Trey Smith.
Thuney, who turns 33 in November, was set to enter the final year of his contract, which would’ve paid a base salary of $15.5 million.
The 6-foot-5, 304-pound Thuney originally joined the Chiefs as a free agent in 2021. He became a mainstay on the offensive line, contributing to two Super Bowl championship runs and garnering first-team All-Pro honors twice (2023, 2024) over the past four seasons.
His absence leaves another hole on the left side of the offensive line.
Chiefs coach Andy Reid said during the NFL Scouting Combine that that Thuney, who started at left tackle during Super Bowl LIX, would move back to his natural position. Reid then added the left tackle position would be addressed during the offseason.
But with Thuney now heading to Chicago, the Chiefs have two essential spots to fill.
The Chiefs will enter the 2025 regular season with a new-look offseason line, conjuring memories of 2021 when the Chiefs revamped the starting front five in the wake of a Super Bowl loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.