Johnson: Jackson and Thuney are ‘tough,’ ‘gritty’ and ‘dirty’ players the Bears need on the O-line

LAKE FOREST, Ill. (WGN) — Chicago Bears General Manager Ryan Poles said he immediately went to work when he heard names like Jonah Jackson and Joe Thuney were options to enhance the offensive line charged with better protecting Caleb Williams in 2025.

On Wednesday, they officially became Bears.

“The beautiful thing about this is that we both have connection points with these guys, which makes it really good,” Poles said of he and Ben Johnson’s past relationships with Jackson and Thuney. “We know the type of men that they are, the type of men that are coming into our building. We’re really confident they’re going to enhance out entire team.”

Jackson played his first four seasons in Detroit with a Lions coaching staff that featured his new head coach, which included his best season as a pro. In 2021 when Johnson was promoted from tight ends coach to passing game coordinator for Detroit, Jackson was named to his first Pro Bowl as a guard along the Lions offensive line.

“It’s awesome. I had a great relationship with Ben. He was with me when I was a young pup [in] my rookie year. What he brings to the table is awesome and I couldn’t be more excited, especially having a guy like this on the line,” Jackson said, referencing Thuney.

Poles served as director of player personnel for the Kansas City Chiefs in 2021 when the team signed Thuney as a free agent. In four seasons with Kansas City, Thuney won two Super Bowls and was named to three consecutive All-Pro teams.

As a part of their Wednesday afternoon press conference, Poles and Johnson announced Thuney will start at left guard, and Jackson will start at right guard.

“We want some tough, some gritty, some dirty individuals and we feel good about the two guys we got,” Johnson said.

Newly signed center Drew Dalman is scheduled to speak to the media later this week.