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Bears’ Joe Thuney wins historic NFL award

Chicago Bears offensive lineman Joe Thuney is the first player in NFL history to be named “Protector of the Year.”

Published

12 hours ago

February 6, 2026

BearsTalk Staff

The NFL is finally honoring offensive linemen with an individual award, and the first one ever is headed to Halas Hall.

Chicago Bears offensive lineman Joe Thuney was named the winner of the first-ever “Protector of the Year” Award at Thursday night’s NFL Honors ceremony:

The first-ever Protector of the Year, @JosephThuney ?

?: NBC pic.twitter.com/3XpV263ono
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) February 6, 2026

Thuney was the anchor of the Bears’ offensive line in 2025, a unit that helped spark one of the NFL’s best offenses. They also propelled the Bears to an NFC North title in Ben Johnson’s first season as head coach.

The future is bright for the Bears, and Thuney is putting together a career that could one day be rewarded with a gold jacket:

Joe Thuney is quietly building a very impressive HOF case:

– 2025 Protector of the Year
– 3x First-Team All-Pro
– 2x Second-Team All-Pro
– 4x Pro Bowler
– 4x Super Bowl champion

Glad this award is a thing now to properly honor these guys. pic.twitter.com/YflItAStOt
— Mike Kennedy (@MikeKennedyNFL) February 6, 2026