Bears’ Joe Thuney, Drew Dalman, Kevin Byard earn Pro Bowl honors
Three Bears earned invitations to play the Pro Bowl game in February. Guard Joe Thuney, center Drew Dalman and safety Kevin Byard were all named to the NFC team Tuesday.
It’s the most Pro Bowlers the Bears will have at the game since 2019 when the team brought four players. Tuesday also marked the first time since 2016 that multiple Bears were named to the Pro Bowl during their first season with the team.
“Really excited for our three guys that made it,” Bears head coach Ben Johnson said at Halas Hall in Lake Forest on Tuesday. “Thuney and Drew and Kevin, they all deserved it. It’s phenomenal to see them get the recognition they deserve. We had a number of other guys that certainly are worthy of strong consideration as well. We’ve had a lot of guys play high level football all year long so credit to them to get the recognition like that.”
The Pro Bowl game will take place on Feb. 3 at the Moscone Center in San Francisco, the first time the Pro Bowl has been part of the Super Bowl experience. It will be the fourth time the game will be a flag football game instead of a traditional tackle game.
Thuney earned his fourth straight Pro Bowl honor during his first season with the Bears. He’s been exactly what Bears general manager Ryan Poles hoped he’d be this year after Poles traded for Thuney during the offseason.
Thuney has been an important leader for an offensive line that’s transformed into one of the NFL’s best this season. He’s also continued his high level of play. Thuney hasn’t allowed a sack this season and has only given up one quarterback hit.
“It’s always super humbling,” Thuney said. “It’s such a big operation, it takes all of us, so I always feel little weird individual awards because it’s team game. But you’re very humbled and excited by it still and very thankful.”
Dalman was named to his first Pro Bowl during his first season in Chicago. He was another key offseason addition by Poles that has paid dividends in what’s been a resurgent season for the Bears under first-year head coach Ben Johnson.
Dalman has done a good job of not only helping quarterback Caleb Williams run the offense. He’s also helped protected Williams at a high level, having allowed one sack and one quarterback hit this season.
“Definitely grateful, and appreciative, but yeah, like I was talking to some of the guys about this, like, if I’m being honest, an individual award for [offensive] line play feels a little silly because I just rely on those guys every single play all the time,” Dalman said. “We’re always working in conjunction with each other, so all the credit in the world to those guys and playing next to them has helped me so much and just the knowledge and effort from them has been really helpful.”
Byard will head to his third career Pro Bowl and his first since 2021 when he went with the Tennessee Titans.
He’s earned the honor in what’s been a big comeback season for the 32-year-old safety. Byard leads the league with six interceptions as he’s found ways to lead a Bears defense that leads the league with 31 total takeaways.
“Yeah, I mean I think to be able to, about to close in on a decade in this league, I don’t take it for granted at all,” Byard said. “That’s why I’ve always kind of said, I just try to take this thing day by day and be very appreciative of the position I’m in to be playing. Obviously, to be playing at a high level means a lot more. But man, I’m just having a lot of fun and I think that’s what it’s all about.”
The Bears felt there were some snubs from their team. Most notable was cornerback Nahshon Wright.
Wright has put together a big comeback season after Chicago signed him to a one-year contract in April. He’s second in the NFL with five interceptions to go along with two forced fumbles.
Byard came to Wright’s defense and said he already talked to Wright about it. He shared the time during his second season in the NFL when he was named a first team All-Pro but was a second alternate to the Pro Bowl.
“I’m not necessarily saying those guys didn’t have good years, but he has a first-team All-Pro that’s on the way, and in my opinion, that’s honestly more important to me, or important to him for sure,” Byard said. “So, he’s had a great year and I don’t think he’s — obviously he’s disappointed, but at the end of the day, man, we have bigger and better things that we could still accomplish and that’s what we’re kind of focused on.”