​The Protector of the Year award debuted last season in the NFL, created to honor the league’s top offensive lineman. A prestigious advisory panel of NFL veterans and legends was assembled to determine the 2025 season’s best O-lineman. The committee included two-time Pro Bowler and renowned position-specific training expert LeCharles Bentley, six-time All-Pro Jason Kelce, three-time Pro Bowler Shaun O’Hara, Super Bowl LVI champion Andrew Whitworth, and Pro Football Hall of Famers Orlando Pace and Will Shields.
At NFL Honors, the panel selected Bears guard Joe Thuney as the Protector of the Year. The 33-year-old veteran earned first-team All-Pro recognition and a Pro Bowl nod last season. He allowed zero sacks and just one quarterback hit, while logging the second-most offensive snaps among guards. His run-block win rate stood at 77%, placing him third at his position. Thuney is undeniably among the league’s elite offensive linemen, though some debate whether he sits at the very top.
ESPN’s interior offensive linemen rankings placed Thuney fifth out of 10. The methodology involved polling NFL coaches, scouts, and league executives to determine rankings, then compiling results and ranking candidates based on the number of top-10 votes, composite averages, and extensive interviews. ESPN’s Matt Bowen contributed film study and research to the process, with input from ESPN Research. Among those who ranked higher than Thuney were Dallas Cowboys guard Tyler Smith, Indianapolis Colts guard Quenton Nelson, Kansas City Chiefs center Creed Humphrey, and Denver Broncos guard Quinn Meinerz. These players are widely regarded as among the interior offensive line’s elite talents, sparking discussions about whether Thuney truly belongs ahead of them.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler offered perspective on Thuney’s placement, noting that Thuney was the oldest player in the top 10 at age 33, and that age factored into the voting dynamics. Even if Thuney’s ranking may ruffle some Bears fans, it underscores his standing as an elite player across the league. What matters most is how Bears quarterback Caleb Williams and the coaching staff value Thuney’s contribution. Thuney provided stability protecting Williams’ blind side and played a critical role in the run game. With Garrett Bradbury likely to be the starting center this season, Thuney’s veteran presence will help the rookie acclimate to Chicago, and their prior collegiate connection at North Carolina State offers additional familiarity.
Thuney is the second Bears offensive lineman to receive recognition in ESPN’s positional rankings, with Darnell Wright being rated as the sixth-highest offensive tackle in the league. Right guard Jonah Jackson also drew votes from NFL evaluators, highlighting the Bears’ overall interior-line talent. As the season progresses, Thuney’s performance and leadership will continue to be pivotal for Chicago, both in pass protection and the run game, as the Bears aim to maximize Caleb Williams’ development and team success.