Turns Out The Braxton Jones Era In Chicago May Not Be Over Yet
The Chicago Bears have several questions they must answer over the next four months. By far one of the biggest is what to do at left tackle. Ozzy Trapilo looked like their long-term answer with a strong finish to the 2025 season, but then tore his patella in the wild card win over Green Bay. He is now expected to miss training camp and likely multiple games of next season. It puts GM Ryan Poles and head coach Ben Johnson in an awkward spot. What do they do for an emergency solution to this problem? Funny story. You may recall Braxton Jones.
Chicago’s former 5th round pick began last season as the entrenched starter. Unfortunately, injuries slowed and then derailed him entirely. He was eventually benched for Theo Benedet and landed on IR with a knee problem. This was in addition to still not having entirely recovered from a broken ankle that ended his 2024 season. Most expected Jones would leave in free agency, seeking new opportunities elsewhere. Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune believes Trapilo’s injury may have changed those plans.
Jones and the Bears could use each other one more time.
It’s worth wondering if the Bears would consider bringing back Braxton Jones, which potentially could aid both parties. The current coaching staff hasn’t seen Jones fully healthy. He pressed all offseason to return from a fractured ankle in time for training camp. He battled in an effort to get stronger, and I don’t think he ever got there before he was benched just before halftime of the Week 4 game in Las Vegas. Then a minor knee injury during a practice in October led to an IR stint.
Jones didn’t have the kind of season he was hoping for in a contract year. A one-year deal to return to the Bears healthy and play in place of Trapilo could give him the opportunity to restore his market value.
Bringing back Braxton Jones does make sense.
It’s not an ideal solution, but it might be the best one the Bears have. Let’s think about this. The 2026 free-agent class is best described as weak. There are no obvious starters worth targeting, and those who are remotely close will demand ridiculous contracts to acquire. As for the draft, the Bears are picking late in the 1st round. That isn’t a traditional hotbed for good blindside protectors. Besides, putting a rookie at that spot is always dangerous early in a season. The Bears didn’t do it with Trapilo until the second half of the year.
Braxton Jones is experienced, having started 44 games for the team. His injury setbacks will have cooled whatever market he has this spring, making it easier to secure him at a favorable price. He knows Ben Johnson’s offensive system. Last but not least, he should be fully healthy now. It makes sense. Jones may not be a true fixture at left tackle, but he can absolutely serve as a bridge option until Trapilo is healthy. If he performs well, it will boost his market going into 2027, where he’ll make far more money.