This WCG roundtable series was inspired by this Tweet from our guy Jacob, who gave six 2026 Chicago Bears superlatives for the offseason. We’re going to take them one by one, and we’ll give a couple two tree sentences for each.
First up, who we believe is the Bears’ best player.
Jacob Infante: Joe Thuney – Coming off a year in which he won the inaugural Protector of the Year and was a first-team All-Pro, Joe Thuney is as good as they get for an NFL guard. He’s the one player on the Bears’ roster I’m
convinced is undoubtedly elite.
Jeff Berckes: You’re fooling yourself if your answer is anything other than Joe Thuney. Three straight First Team All-Pro honors and the first Protector of the Year Award winner show he hasn’t lost a step. Don’t overthink this one.
Bryan Orenchuk: Joe Thuney – inaugural Protector of the Year award winner, All-Pro Guard who can hold down the fort at LT in a pinch and lead by example for the rest of our team and OL. Beyond fortunate to call him a Bear.
Sam Householder: Joe Thuney – OL so infrequently gets mentioned among the best players. I appreciate the NFL trying to rectify that with the Protector of the Year Award, but that will still take a little time to gain cache. Thuney is the best player on the team.
Lester A. Wiltfong Jr.: Chicago’s pass protection was among the league’s best last year, and Thuney didn’t allow a single sack. His one-on-one technique is nearly flawless, and his feel for twists and stunts is top-notch. Not only is he the Bears’ best player, but he’s one of the best players in the NFL.
Josh Sunderbruch: Thuney is the obvious choice, but I’m going to go for novelty and say Colston Loveland. He has the chance to be the best player on the team who hasn’t already won Super Bowls on two other teams.
Donald Gooch: Caleb Williams – I understand the Joe Thuney argument, but I am of the opinion Caleb Williams is rapidly becoming 1 of 1 at the QB position. I have seen HofF guards before. I’ve never seen a quarterback with the potential of Caleb Williams. And yes, that includes Pat Mahomes.
Erik Duerrwaechter: Caleb Williams – He’s become the first QB in a very long time who’s worth building a franchise around in Chicago. His ability to win games with magnificent plays when everything else looks hopeless is precisely why the Bears will only continue to get better.
Ryan Droste: Caleb Williams is the answer for me. The Bears’ future rides on him, and he’s the guy who ultimately directed all those fourth quarter comebacks last year. The Bears are building around him (see: this year’s draft), and that’s what you do with the best and most important player on the team. I believe he’s already the second-best QB in the division, and I think by the end of the 2026 season, he will be universally known as the best in the North.
Who is your pick for the best Bears player?
