The Bears’ most important camp fight may already be taking shape, and it’s happening right in the middle of the offensive line.
Chicago entered 2026 training camp with veteran Garrett Bradbury in the building, a proven center who arrived after a season that helped the New England Patriots get to the Super Bowl. But the Bears also used the 57th overall pick on Logan Jones, and that move immediately put a spotlight on the position. Jones looks like the long-term answer on paper, but this is not a job that has been handed over yet.
That’s what makes this battle so significant. Jones still has plenty to prove, while Bradbury brings the kind of reliability teams trust. The competition is expected to carry into the preseason, and the outcome could shape a major part of Chicago’s offense.
If Jones pushes Bradbury hard enough, the Bears could come out of it with something even better than a starter: real depth. That would give Chicago flexibility if injuries hit or if there’s a need to shuffle pieces inside. It also reflects how much more serious the Bears are about the line as a whole.
Joe Thuney is already a major stabilizing force, so there’s at least one spot the Bears can feel good about. Left tackle is still the other big question, with the team weighing three options there and hoping one of them becomes a long-term fit.
Even with that uncertainty, the center competition stands out because of what it means for Caleb Williams. Chicago wants steadier protection for its quarterback, and if the line delivers that, the offense has a better chance to take a step forward and keep the Bears in position atop the NFC North.
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