The Detroit Lions are looking to win the NFC North for the third straight season in 2025, but pulling off the three-peat won’t be easy. The rest of the division has improved throughout the offseason as the Minnesota Vikings added weapons around J.J. McCarthy and the Green Bay Packers moved to upgrade their infrastructure for Jordan Love.
But the most improved team this offseason may be the Chicago Bears. The Bears added former Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson to become their new head coach, and the rest of the spring has been used to add resources around former No. 1 overall pick Caleb Williams.
That process included some big contract news on Tuesday that deals the Lions another bad hand in their quest for another division crown.
Bears Sign Joe Thuney to Two-Year Contract Extension
The Bears announced that they have agreed to terms with offensive guard Joe Thuney on a two-year contract extension. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the deal will pay Thuney an average of $17.5 million per year and increase his total compensation to $51 million over three seasons with $33.5 million in guaranteed money.
The extension is another step in Chicago’s commitment toward fixing its offensive line. A two-time first-team All-Pro, Thuney was acquired from the Kansas City Chiefs in exchange for a 2026 fourth-round pick in March. The Bears added ex-Lion guard Jonah Jackson from the Los Angeles Rams in exchange for a 2025 sixth-round pick. They also paid former Atlanta Falcons center Drew Dalman $42 million over three seasons in free agency.
The Bears also brought in a pair of weapons in the NFL Draft, selecting Michigan tight end Colston Loveland in the first round and Missouri wide receiver Luther Burden III in the second round.
All of this is part of a larger reboot for the Bears’ franchise. Johnson was brought in to get more out of Williams, but the USC product was part of the problem. He was tied for third in pressures created (38) in the NFL last season with Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts, trailing Bo Nix of the Denver Broncos (40) and Patrick Mahomes of the Kansas City Chiefs (50).
If Johnson can take Williams to the next level, the Bears should be an improved team next season. That will hurt the Lions' chances of being one of the top teams in the division and make things more difficult as they look for an elusive NFC title next season.