Joe Thuney discusses reunion with Bears center Garrett Bradbury

An offensive line is built on chemistry and with the Chicago Bears getting a new center, it seemed like the unit would have to start over building that chemistry. However, left guard Joe Thuney has some experience playing with the Bears new center Garrett Bradbury.

This will be the first time that Thuney and Bradbury have been on the same roster since college. Back in 2014 and 2015, they played together at NC State.  Bradbury was in his first two seasons while Thuney was in his final two seasons before getting drafted in the third round of the 2016 NFL Draft by the New England Patriots. 

While it’s early, Thuney has enjoyed playing alongside Bradbury again and has also been impressed with how Bradbury has been making such an effort to learn head coach Ben Johnson’s offense.

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“It’s crazy after all these years being back together now,” Thuney said. “He’s really smart and communicates so well.  Athletic, strong, does a lot of things really well, and he’s done a lot of work to catch himself up on the offense and all the terms we use.  He’s been great from day one, and it’s fun playing next to him.”

Neither Thuney or Bradbury played in Chicago’s preseason opener since Johnson opted not to play most starters.  However, he has not ruled out the possibility of the Bears playing their starters at some point in either of their final two seasons games against the Cincinnati Bengals or Tennessee Titans. 

It may help the whole unit to get in a drive or two during the preseason to help build that on-the-field chemistry, especially since the Bears are still figuring out who will be the starting left tackle.

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