The Chicago Bears are entering a pivotal offseason, and one of the biggest questions looming over Halas Hall is what to do at left tackle. Ozzy Trapilo looked like the long-term answer down the stretch in 2025, showing poise and power in pass protection during the team’s playoff push.
But a torn patella in the Wild Card win over Green Bay has thrown a wrench into those plans. He’s expected to miss training camp and likely the early part of next season.
That leaves GM Ryan Poles and new head coach Ben Johnson with a critical decision to make-and not a lot of great options.
Enter a familiar name: Braxton Jones.
Jones, a former fifth-round pick, opened last season as the Bears' starting left tackle. He had earned that role with solid play and steady development.
But injuries derailed his season before it ever really got going. He was still recovering from a fractured ankle that ended his 2024 campaign when training camp began, and while he pushed hard to get back on the field, it became clear he wasn’t at full strength.
He was benched in Week 4 against Las Vegas and later landed on injured reserve with a knee issue. At that point, it seemed like his time in Chicago had quietly come to an end.
But Trapilo’s injury might have changed the calculus.
Now, the Bears could be looking at Jones not just as a depth piece, but as a potential short-term solution at one of the game’s most important positions. And from where things stand, it might be the most logical path forward-for both sides.
Let’s break it down.
The 2026 free-agent class for offensive tackles is thin, especially when it comes to reliable starters. The few quality options out there will command top-tier money, and that’s not a pool the Bears may want to swim in, especially for a temporary fix.
The draft doesn’t offer much relief either. Chicago is picking late in the first round, and while talent can always emerge, that’s not typically where you find plug-and-play left tackles.
Even Trapilo didn’t step into the lineup until midway through last season.
Jones brings something that’s hard to find this time of year: experience. He’s started 44 games for the Bears.
He knows the organization, he’s familiar with the personnel, and he now has time to fully recover from the injuries that plagued him over the last two years. He also knows Ben Johnson’s offensive system, which gives him a leg up on any outside addition trying to learn the scheme on the fly.
Is he a long-term answer? Probably not.
But he doesn’t have to be. What the Bears need is a steady hand to hold the fort until Trapilo is ready to return.
Jones can be that guy. And for him, this is a chance to reset his value.
A strong showing in 2026 could open the door to a more lucrative opportunity in 2027-whether that’s in Chicago or elsewhere.
It’s not a perfect solution, but it’s a practical one. The Bears have a roster that’s closer to contention than most realize.
They don’t need to take a big swing at left tackle right now-they just need someone who can keep the ship steady. Braxton Jones might be exactly what they’re looking for.