Could a Familiar Face Help the Bears Shore Up Their Defensive Line in 2026?
The Chicago Bears have turned a corner in 2025. Sitting at 10-4 with a shot at their first NFC North title since 2018, this is a team that’s found new life under head coach Ben Johnson. The culture shift in Chicago has been real - and it’s showing up in the win column.
But as the Bears gear up for a crucial final stretch of the regular season, it’s worth looking at some of the roster moves that helped pave the way to this resurgence - and which ones might still have a role to play in the near future.
One name to keep an eye on? Justin Jones.
The veteran nose tackle, who spent two seasons in Chicago before heading to Arizona, was just waived from injured reserve by the Cardinals. After signing a three-year, $30.1 million deal following the 2023 season, Jones struggled to stay on the field in the desert. Now a free agent, he could be a name the Bears revisit - not necessarily for an immediate impact, but as a potential depth piece heading into 2026.
Defensive Line Depth Still a Concern
Let’s be clear: the Bears’ defensive line has been a mixed bag this season. They made some aggressive moves in the offseason to bolster the trenches, signing Grady Jarrett and Dayo Odeyingbo, and drafting Shemar Turner in April.
On paper, it looked like a solid plan. In practice, it hasn’t quite panned out.
Jarrett, a former Pro Bowler, has taken time to find his footing and only recently started flashing the disruptive ability he was known for in Atlanta. Odeyingbo, who was expected to contribute both inside and out, ended up playing mostly on the edge before suffering a season-ending Achilles injury. And Turner never got the chance to show what he could do - a torn ACL ended his rookie campaign before it really began.
That’s left Chicago thin, especially on the interior. Gervon Dexter Sr. has been a bright spot, putting together a respectable stat line with 30 tackles, five tackles for loss, and five sacks. But beyond him, the rotation of Andrew Billings, Chris Williams, and Jonathan Ford hasn’t offered much in the way of consistent production.
Why Justin Jones Still Makes Sense
Jones isn’t going to be a game-changer at this point in the season - not after playing just three games in 2024 before suffering a triceps injury, and then landing on injured reserve again this year with a knee issue. But the Bears know what kind of player he can be when healthy.
During his two-year stint in Chicago, Jones was a steady presence in the middle of the defense. He started all 34 games, racking up 101 total tackles, 22 tackles for loss, and 7.5 sacks. He wasn’t flashy, but he was effective - the kind of high-motor interior lineman who could eat up snaps and help free up others around him.
Now 29 and coming off two injury-riddled seasons, Jones wouldn’t command much in terms of salary. That makes him an intriguing low-risk option - someone who could compete for a roster spot in training camp and offer insurance behind younger players like Dexter.
Looking Ahead to 2026
The Bears have made major strides in 2025, but if they want to build something sustainable, they’ll need to keep reinforcing the roster - especially in areas that have shown vulnerability. Defensive tackle is one of those spots.
Bringing back Jones wouldn’t be a headline-grabbing move. But it could be a smart one. He knows the system, he’s played meaningful snaps in Chicago, and he’d bring a veteran presence to a group that’s still finding its identity.
Whether it happens late this season or as part of the 2026 roster build, the Bears would be wise to keep the door open. Because if Jones can stay healthy, there’s still some good football left in him - and Chicago might just be the right place for it.