The Chicago Bears are gearing up for a busy offseason with 23 players set to hit unrestricted free agency. Among them is offensive tackle Braxton Jones. With his rookie contract expiring, Chicago seems ready to explore other options, like Theo Benedet, at the tackle position.
Jones, who started just four games for the Bears in 2025, appears poised to don a new jersey next season. There's buzz that he might land with one of Chicago's rivals.
NFL Network's Daniel Jeremiah shared insights during a recent conference call, indicating that the Detroit Lions are actively exploring the free-agent tackle market.
"They're doing their homework on free-agent tackles. It suggests there might be a need there," Jeremiah noted, hinting at potential changes involving Taylor Decker.
The Lions, facing a possible gap on their offensive line, might consider bringing Jones into the fold for the 2026 season, keeping him within the NFC North.
Drafted in the fifth round of the 2022 NFL Draft, Jones has been a starter for the Bears but has struggled with consistency, missing multiple games over the past three seasons due to neck and knee injuries.
For the Lions, Jones could be a valuable asset, particularly if Taylor Decker decides to retire. Decker hasn't made a decision yet, but his contemplation has prompted the Lions to look at alternatives. Spotrac projects Jones to land a two-year, $9.5 million deal, which is quite affordable.
With 44 starts to his name, the Southern Utah alum could compete for a starting role. However, his time with the Bears was marked by challenges, as highlighted by Pro Football Focus:
Statistics
- Total Pressures Allowed: 2022: 40 2023: 32 2024: 15 2025: 15 (in just four starts)
- Hits Allowed: 2022: 4 2023: 2 2024: 2 2025: 2
- Sacks Allowed: 2022: 7 2023: 2 2024: 5 2025: 2
- Penalties: 2022: 12 2023: 9 2024: 7 2025: 1
Jones has a tendency to allow pressures and commit penalties. His 2025 performance, with 15 pressures and two sacks in just four starts, led to his benching.
While the Bears seem ready to move on, the Lions might see potential in Jones, especially given their own challenges on the line. Other free-agent tackles like Braden Smith, Jonah Williams, and Cam Robinson are commanding over $10 million annually, making Jones an attractive budget option.
The Lions are currently over the salary cap by more than $9.6 million, according to OverTheCap, which could make Jones a sensible choice. Though it might be strange for Bears fans to see Jones with a division rival, they likely won't be too concerned if his struggles continue.