The Kansas City Chiefs are trading All-Pro offensive lineman Joe Thuney to the Chicago Bears for a 2026 fourth-round pick, league sources said Wednesday.

Thuney, 32, is coming off back-to-back seasons in which he was named a first-team All-Pro. The nine-year veteran has started 146 of 148 regular-season games since entering the league with the New England Patriots in 2016.

Thuney primarily played left guard since joining the Chiefs as a free agent before the 2021 season. However, with the team struggling to find an answer at left tackle last season, Thuney moved to the outside, staying there through Super Bowl LIX. He is a four-time Super Bowl champion, winning two with New England and two more with the Chiefs.

The move comes after Kansas City franchise-tagged 25-year-old free agent guard Trey Smith.

The Bears’ offseason priority remains clear: protect quarterback Caleb Williams. They acquired guard Jonah Jackson from the Rams on Tuesday, and now add Thuney to their front five.

Chicago’s aggressive offseason

Instead of competing in free agency for mid-tier guards, Bears general manager Ryan Poles went out to get them himself. We’ve seen this from Poles throughout his time as GM, including Tuesday’s trade for Jackson and the 2023 trade for defensive end Montez Sweat (plus a failed acquisition of wide receiver Chase Claypool). The free-agent pool isn’t what it used to be, and the guard class was lacking once Smith got the franchise tag. The draft is unpredictable. The Bears have the cap space and draft capital to be aggressive, and Poles took advantage of Thuney’s availability. Poles was with the Chiefs when they signed Thuney in 2021.

Just like that, Poles has given Williams a serious upgrade on the interior. The Bears haven’t had an offensive lineman go to the Pro Bowl since 2018, and their drought without an All-Pro offensive lineman goes back to 2006 (Olin Kreutz). — Kevin Fishbain, Bears beat writer

Poles delivers on his promise

When the Bears announced their eight season-long captains before last season began, it was interesting that an offensive lineman wasn’t included. That should change in 2025. As Poles promised, he was aggressive when it came to retooling the Bears’ offensive line.

Thuney, with his Super Bowl experience, could be the culture-changer the Bears need up front.

Don’t overlook Jackson, either. He’s looking to bounce back from a down year in Los Angeles where he was injured and benched. He plays with an edge that will help up front. Jackson also earned Pro Bowl honors in 2021.

By adding both players, Poles has quickly upgraded the talent and changed the demeanor of the Bears’ offensive line for new coach Ben Johnson. Williams should benefit from it in his second season. — Adam Jahns, Bears beat writer

Why the Chiefs made the move

The Chiefs knew they had to get younger — and more affordable — at one of their interior positions on the offensive line.

Thuney was the oldest member of the Chiefs’ line, which for the past three years was known to have the best interior trio in the league alongside center Creed Humphrey and Smith. By trading Thuney to the Bears, the Chiefs were able to clear $16 million in cap space, according to Over the Cap. The Chiefs’ next move is to re-sign Smith to a multiyear extension, likely a four- or five-year deal. The Chiefs placed the franchise tag on Smith, a Pro Bowler who is 25 years old, to prevent him from reaching free agency.

General manager Brett Veach and coach Andy Reid hope to sign Smith to his extension before noon ET on Monday, when agents of unrestricted free agents can enter contract negotiations with any interested team. Smith, who was supposed to be the most coveted free-agent offensive lineman this spring, is expected to sign a deal with an annual salary of at least $23 million, making him the league’s highest-paid guard. — Nate Taylor, Chiefs beat writer

Who replaces Thuney on the Chiefs’ O-line?

The player who will be given the first opportunity to replace Thuney at left guard is Kingsley Suamataia, the 2024 second-round pick. As a rookie, Suamataia struggled in pass protection at left tackle. He was benched in favor of Wanya Morris, the team’s swing tackle. But Morris lost the job in late November and veteran left tackle D.J. Humphries, who joined the team with six games left in the regular season, didn’t finish his first start because of a strained left hamstring.

Once Thuney moved to left tackle, he provided suitable protection with Mike Caliendo inserted into the lineup, which helped the Chiefs reach the Super Bowl for a third consecutive year. — Taylor