Five Joe Thuney-Style Trades The Bears Could Pull Off Before Free Agency
The Chicago Bears took a calculated risk last year when they flipped a 4th round pick to the Kansas City Chiefs for left guard Joe Thuney. Though the former All-Pro was already 33 years old, head coach Ben Johnson and general manager Ryan Poles felt his elite level of play and remarkable consistency gave them favorable odds to get a perfect plug for their offensive line. He responded with another All-Pro season, winning the first-ever Protector of the Year award.
That trade became one of the best in Bears history after just one season. It also leads to an interesting question. Are there any Thuney-like trade opportunities to be had in 2026? Here are the parameters.
- Player must be on the older side
- He must be at least good
- His current team can’t really afford to keep him
I did some research and found five names that semi-fit the criteria, all of whom are at positions of need for the Bears.
These players could pull a Joe Thuney of their own.
LB Pete Werner
The New Orleans Saints are $6 million over the salary cap at present. While not usually prone to trading their own players, this is a somewhat special case. Werner had been a core part of their defense since being drafted in the 2nd round in 2021. However, the arrival of a new coaching staff last year led to a dip in his playing time. Some wonder whether changes are on the horizon, and whether Werner could be a casualty. Trading him with a post-June 1st designation would secure the Saints over $6 million in cap space.
Chicago’s interest should be obvious. Noah Sewell is a free agent this spring, and there are rampant rumors that the team may move on from Tremaine Edmunds and his hefty contract. Werner played under Dennis Allen for four seasons in New Orleans, amassing 327 tackles, two forced fumbles, an interception, and half a sack. He may not be a superstar, but he knows the defense and would be a dependable starter.
DT Kenny Clark
After several years of outstanding play with the Green Bay Packers, Clark was unceremoniously shipped off to the Dallas Cowboys last season as part of the blockbuster trade for Micah Parsons. It was a reminder of how cold and ruthless the NFL can be. Unsurprisingly, Clark handled it with class and put together a solid season with the Cowboys, collecting three sacks and 44 pressures. He didn’t miss a single game. However, with Quinnen Williams in the building as well, Dallas is $29 million over the cap. Trading Clark, who turns 31 this year, would secure $21 million in space.
It isn’t a secret that the Bears need help at defensive tackle. Andrew Billings is a free agent and seemed to lose steam after an injury in 2024. Grady Jarrett didn’t make much of an impact for most of the year after the team signed him as a free agent. Adding Clark alongside Gervon Dexter would give Chicago a respectable interior rush duo for next season. Both had 44 pressures last year. That pairing would allow Poles to focus more on finding a nose tackle in the draft to replace Billings.
S Minkah Fitzpatrick
Several years ago, the Miami Dolphins famously traded safety Minkah Fitzpatrick to the Pittsburgh Steelers, where he became an All-Pro. Last season, in a strange twist of fate, the Steelers traded him back to Miami for cornerback Jalen Ramsey and tight end Jonnu Smith. Fitzpatrick had a solid season with 82 tackles, a sack, a forced fumble, and an interception despite missing three games. However, the Dolphins are $16 million over the cap and now have a new front office and coaching staff in charge. Trading the 29-year-old safety would net them $5.8 million in cap space, or $15.6 million with a post-June 1st designation.
Remember, the Bears traded for Joe Thuney because they had a major crisis at guard with multiple vacancies. Such is the case at safety this year. Both of their 2025 starters, Kevin Byard and Jaquan Brisker, are free agents. C.J. Gardner-Johnson and Jonathan Owens are also set to hit the market. With so much uncertainty, it would make sense for Chicago to trade for somebody proven. Fitzpatrick has one year left on his current deal. Extending him to lower his cap hit wouldn’t be difficult, giving Allen’s defense a playmaker on the back end who is still at the tail end of his prime.
LT Ronnie Stanley
Few players have been a model of stability for their team quite like Stanley. Despite a constantly churning roster, the two-time Pro Bowler has been there since all the way back in 2016. However, the Ravens have some critical free agents they need to retain this offseason, highlighted by center Tyler Linderbaum and tight end Isaiah Likely. This could force them into the difficult decision of unloading Stanley, who turns 32 next month, despite another solid season in 2025.
Left tackle has become a serious issue for the Bears since Ozzy Trapilo tore his patellar tendon in the wild card win over Green Bay. He could miss most of the 2026 season. Worse still, Braxton Jones and Theo Benedet are free agents. The team has no solution for this problem. Stanley has two years left on his current contract, with this season’s cap hit a modest $9.8 million. The Bears need dependability at that spot, and Stanley is no stranger to blocking for a highly mobile quarterback.
EDGE Danielle Hunter
It isn’t a secret that the Bears need a pass rusher. Montez Sweat and Austin Booker were fine, but it still felt like they lacked a true dynamic presence. Hunter has quietly been one of the greatest edge rushers of his generation. He has 114.5 sacks before his 32nd birthday and is a central part of the Houston Texans’ dominant defense. Unfortunately for Houston, they must prepare to hand out two massive contract extensions to Will Anderson and C.J. Stroud. Not to mention, they need to pay guard Ed Ingram as well. Sacrificing Hunter might be necessary.
| Danielle Hunter seasons | Sacks |
| 2015 | 6 |
| 2016 | 12.5 |
| 2017 | 7 |
| 2018 | 14.5 |
| 2019 | 14.5 |
| 2021 | 6 |
| 2022 | 10.5 |
| 2023 | 16.5 |
| 2024 | 12 |
| 2025 | 15 |
Hunter is in the last year of his deal and counts $31 million against the cap. Chicago should be able to do the same thing they did with Thuney by locking him up to a contract extension, which should lower that hit. Despite being 31, Hunter is playing excellent football. Great pass rushers tend to remain productive into their mid-30s. So the Bears should get at least two or three more great years from him.