Whoa! Okay this is a big one. I don’t have to twist myself in knots to point out the upside of this trade for the Bears.

Thuney is a major upgrade for the interior offensive line. If Jonah Jackson can recover his pre-2024 form, the Bears could have one of the better guard tandems in the NFL.

Does this mean the Bears are out of the free agent offensive line market? Probably not entirely. I’m not sure they shell out the big bucks for Drew Dalman anymore, they might go for a less expensive option at center. Indy’s Ryan Kelly comes to mind. Jackson also has experience at center.

Maybe Detroit’s Kevin Zeitler is still an option.

Maybe Chicago now shifts focus to their other needs, edge rusher, perhaps ?

Josh Sweat is going to get paid, will it be by the Bears? Are the rumors about a reunion with Khalil Mack more than just smoke?

What does this mean for the draft? I think offensive line is still in play for the first round, but I’m also now pretty certain the Bears will add another running back.

Ben Johnson is going to try to build a reasonable facsimile of the Lions’ Sonic & Knuckles rushing attack, and Chicago’s current backs are not there. There’s upgrades to be had in the draft, up to and including Ashton Jeanty who I think is now firmly an option in the first round.