When it comes to the Chicago Bears, “It starts at the top” has officially been replaced. We’re pivoting to “It starts up front.” And in this context, maybe “it” is a good thing.
“It starts at the top” has become a common refrain in Chicago to explain why the five main professional sports organizations in town are either bad or just disappointing. “It” stands for the owners. When discussing the plight of the Bears, the top is George McCaskey, who has overseen a disastrous run of events since taking over the chairman’s role in 2011. But there’s nothing bad to pin on McCaskey right now. They spent big on new coach Ben Johnson. The stadium situation, which isn’t relevant to the team’s lack of success, seems to be progressing finally.
It’s weird to say about a team coming off a historically bad season in which it lost 10 straight games, but the Bears are positioned for success, now and in the future. If only they can figure out how to get out of their own way.
That brings us to our new civic Bears mantra: “It starts up front.”
Through two trades over 24 hours, Bears general manager Ryan Poles and Johnson have shown that change just might be coming where it matters most.
By giving up fourth- and fifth-round picks in 2026 and assuming salary into their cap space, the Bears have added All-Pro guard/tackle Joe Thuney, 32, and former Pro Bowler guard/center Jonah Jackson, 28. Both deals will be official when the new league year starts next Wednesday, but quarterback Caleb Williams should already be celebrating.
How Joe Thuney improves the Bears’ outlook for free agency, the draft and 2025
Poles, a failed NFL offensive lineman, hasn’t exactly wowed us with his O-line scouting acumen so far in Chicago. Williams was running for his life last season as a rookie and the ground game was virtually nonexistent. How did Poles fail so badly in this regard? By not seriously attacking the problem. Yes, he drafted Darnell Wright in the first round, but other than that, his moves (such as signing Nate Davis) set up the Bears to fail. Last year, Poles drafted tackle Kiran Amegadjie, an Ivy League project, in the third round and punter Tory Taylor in the fourth.
Williams carries his share of blame for the offense’s failings — as did the quickly fired coordinator Shane Waldron — but Poles not only failed to properly build an O-line to help a rookie QB, he also bragged about how good it was before the season.
“I actually let one of the guys go on cutdowns and I was like, ‘Man, you did an excellent job. I wish we could keep you here,’” Poles told reporters before the season. “He said, ‘This is the deepest room I’ve ever been a part of.’ So we have more versatility, more depth. Shoot, we have 10 guys, so I feel comfortable. Obviously, you want your starting five to be healthy and ready to go, but I feel more confident in the depth of our offensive line than I ever have before.”
It was a faulty quote that followed him throughout the year. But since Poles’ bosses didn’t fire him, how do you make him better at his job? Well, I think we found our answer.
It sure feels like the hiring of Johnson, a smart, successful offensive expert, has already brought some clarity and purpose to Poles and his front office. Johnson might’ve wowed you with the razzle-dazzle with the Detroit Lions, but his offensive foundation in Detroit was made up of the basics: a good offensive line and running the ball.
Last year, the Bears were near the NFL basement at yards per rush at 4; only two teams were worse. They allowed the most sacks with 68. They were next to last in third-down conversion rate at 32.9. It’s not hard to see the issues.
Detroit succeeded where the Bears failed, not just because of Johnson’s coaching. They had the players up front to make his play calls possible.
Before the Bears can add running backs, tight ends and receivers, they had to get their house in order. You’d always like to focus on drafting cheap, young linemen, but if they want to win now, they need some veteran heft on the line.
After making two moves this week to beef up the offensive line, could #DaBears select @AshtonJeanty2 at 10th overall?#NFL #NFLCombine #NFLDraft pic.twitter.com/H919o3Qrib
— Rich Eisen Show (@RichEisenShow) March 5, 2025
Jackson and Thuney aren’t coming for pennies on the dollar, but hopefully for the Bears, they get what they paid for.
Because of injuries, Jackson played only four games last year with the Los Angeles Rams. That set off alarms in Chicago because Poles’ evaluations of offensive linemen have both underplayed injuries and football character. Before going to the Rams, though, Jackson played for Johnson in Detroit, so this can be looked at as his pick. That makes me feel better. Johnson has earned some leeway from his success in Detroit. If he thinks Jackson can help, I trust him more than Poles.
But Poles should get credit for Thuney, as they crossed paths in Kansas City. Not that you need much insight to trade for a durable All-Pro lineman. Last year’s Bears team was heavy on captains and light on real leaders, so Thuney should be welcomed at Halas Hall.
With Thuney, the thing you worry about is age. The four-time Super Bowl champ turns 33 in November, has been in the league since 2016 and has started 146 of 148 games. That’s a lot of tread on the tires. He switched from guard to tackle last year in a pinch for the Kansas City Chiefs and was ultimately expendable because he’s making a lot of money for a cap-strapped team. The Chiefs chose to use the franchise tag on 26-year-old guard Trey Smith, who was atop the Bears’ wish list before last week.
Joe Thuney trade grades: Bears wisely bolster line before free agency; what’s Chiefs’ plan?
Combined, the two of them have a cap hit of $33.5 million, according to Spotrac, though Thuney, an unrestricted free agent after the season, is an obvious candidate for an extension that could bring down this year’s number. Their signings push the Bears into the middle of the pack in salary-cap space (around $45 million) with free agency opening next week.
Will the Bears still pursue Atlanta Falcons center Drew Dalman? If they do, it would really show their dedication to this plan. The Bears have three locks on the O-line with Thuney, Jackson and Wright. Braxton Jones’ status is up in the air at left tackle and there are in-house candidates at right guard. They aren’t done adding this offseason.
In a perfect world for NFL GMs, you’d have the draft and then free agency, but this setup is much better financially for the players. Free agency is great for quick fixes, but Poles really needs to hit on the draft to show he can build a contender. With these moves, he has more flexibility. I don’t know how he’ll use it, but with Johnson and a mostly experienced coaching staff giving their insights, I’d be a little more confident than in years past.
The Bears are picking at Nos. 10, 39 and 41 in the top 50 and No. 71 in the third round. Though they can still realistically go with the best available O-line prospects with two of those picks, they also now have flexibility for “best player available” (outside of quarterback) at any of those spots. Defensive line and edge rusher are the positions I’d focus on. It’s not exactly splitting the atom, is it? Starting up front means defense, too.
Bears mock draft 2.0: Big trades open new options, including RB Ashton Jeanty
Of course, these trades have some Bears fans again salivating over Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty at No. 10, though I’d also keep my eye on Ohio State’s TreVeyon Henderson, Iowa’s Kaleb Johnson or Tennessee’s Dylan Sampson, among others, in the second and third rounds. The Bears couldn’t think about drafting a running back high without already addressing their line.
Now, because the Bears are starting up front, anything is possible. Even winning in Chicago.
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(Photo of Joe Thuney: David Eulitt / Getty Images)
