You figured the Chicago Bears would have to get creative in rebuilding their offensive line after Trey Smith left the free-agent market before he could even really get on it. But what I wasn’t necessarily expecting was a pursuit of one of Smith’s linemates.

If you did a double take after seeing that news, know you are not alone. Joe Thuney is a solid ballplayer and has been for quite some time. A third-round pick (78th overall) by the New England Patriots in 2016, Thuney has three Pro Bowls (2022-24) to his name and is coming off back-to-back seasons in which he earned first-team All-Pro recognition.

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