In case of emergency, slide Joe Thuney outside.
Somehow, in consecutive seasons, Thuney finds his versatility coming into play at the most pivotal juncture of the postseason. The Chicago Bears are reportedly considering using Thuney, their starting left guard and a former pillar of the Kansas City Chiefs offense, at left tackle instead in the wake of serious injuries.
In 2024, the Chiefs asked Thuney to man left tackle late in the season after the newly-signed free agent D.J. Humphries went down with a hamstring injury in his first start. Humphries was signed to replace Wanya Morris, who was also injured, yet he was only playing because Kingsley Suamataia failed to maintain a hold on the starting role after getting benched in Week 2.
Thuney started several games at left tackle for the Chiefs at season's end and performed well, but the injury concerns along the offensive line were too great to overcome in Super Bowl LIV against the Philadelphia Eagles. Now the Bears might ask Thuney to do the same.
Joe Thuney’s familiar emergency move to left tackle could once again shape a playoff run
Nothing is official yet, but when Ozzy Trapilo went down with an injury against the Green Bay Packers in the wild card round, Chicago's depth at tackle became a real concern. The Bears aren't without options. Backup tackle Theo Benedet played in place of Trapilo against the Packers and started 8 games already this season.
That said, Thuney's ability to play at a high level either inside or outside gives the Bears a better option than most teams would have when dealing with a major injury concern at the bookend. If Benedet is getting beat early in the team's divisional-round game against the L.A. Rams, Thuney could always plug and play. Or maybe they'll decide to start him outright and elevate someone inside.
It's interesting that Thuney would find himself in this same position just one year after doing the same for the Chiefs in an emergency role. Thuney's résumé already had numerous All-Pro seasons and four championships listed, but more postseason heroics are in store if he shows himself to be an answer for the Bears outside in a pinch.