NFL Honors: Bears' Joe Thuney wins Protector award; Mike Vrabel beats Ben Johnson for Coach of the Year
SAN FRANCISCO — Bears coach Ben Johnson lost out to the Patriots’ Mike Vrabel for Coach of the Year at the NFL Honors on Thursday, but they still picked up a trophy as left guard Joe Thuney won the league’s inaugural Protector of the Year for the top offensive lineman.
Thuney, always averse to attention, joked, “It’s kind of ironic talking about an award for unsung heroes.”
He earned his third consecutive All-Pro and fourth consecutive Pro Bowl selection this season after the Bears acquired him in a trade with the Chiefs. He was instrumental in their overhaul of the offensive line, coming in with center Drew Dalman and right guard Jonah Jackson, and even filled in at left tackle in the playoffs when Ozzy Trapilo suffered a knee injury.
The group helped quarterback Caleb Williams cut his sacks from a league-high 68 as a rookie to just 24 this season.
Thuney already had a decorated career with the Patriots and Chiefs, winning two Super Bowls with each before coming to the Bears. This was a new challenge, though, in that they were counting on him to lead a turnaround.
“I just wanted to show the guys in the locker room what I’ve learned through my years and just perform well for the guy next to me,” Thuney said. “The offensive line in Chicago really grew close. I love those guys.
“It was surreal being at Soldier Field and feeling the fans and hearing it and seeing videos of families’ reactions after the games and they’re crying together and laughing and cheering. The city hasn’t felt that in a long time, so it was special.”
Johnson, meanwhile, had a strong candidacy by steering the Bears from 5-12 last season to 11-6 and their first playoff win in 15 years. Vrabel, though, pulled off an even more impressive flip by taking the 4-12 Patriots to a 14-3 record. All voting was done at the end of the regular season.
Williams and wide receiver DJ Moore also were honored for the Moment of the Year for Williams’ 46-yard touchdown pass to Moore to beat the Packers in overtime in December.