When the Bears open training camp later this month, the center spot will be one of the first offensive line jobs to watch. That battle is set to come down to veteran Garrett Bradbury and rookie Logan Jones, Chicago’s second-round pick at No. 54 overall.
The path to this competition opened quickly in March, when Drew Dalman retired suddenly. Chicago responded by moving for Bradbury and then used April’s draft to add Jones, giving the team both immediate insurance and a player it can build around.
Jones arrives with a real chance to push for the job. He made more than 50 starts at center in college, and that kind of experience gives the Bears reason to believe he can grow into their long-term answer. For now, though, he’ll have to prove he can take the job from Bradbury.
The fit is obvious in the run game. Outside zone was a major part of Chicago’s offense last season, and more of that should be coming in 2026 as the Bears try to get more out of the ground attack. Jones is already stronger as a run blocker than as a pass protector, though he is still considered solid when he has to protect the quarterback.
His movement skills matter here. The Bears like linemen who can get to the second and third level, and Jones has the mobility and footwork to work combo blocks, handle defensive linemen, and climb to linebackers.
Inside Halas Hall, the evaluation has gone beyond the tape.
"He's mature, composed, the football intelligence really stood out," said Trey Koziol. "We talk about all the things you can see on tape - the athleticism, the strength, the scrappy play temperament and all that stuff but it's really the intangibles, too, that stood out. Really cerebral player."
That kind of profile fits what Chicago wants from its centers. Jones has the college resume, but he also brings the sort of smart, tough, adaptable approach that Iowa linemen are known for. The Bears believe that blend gives him a strong chance to develop into a quality player in Ben Johnson’s system.
Jones knows the learning curve is coming.
"It feels like there's a little bit more on the center's plate here," said Jones. "Which is exciting.
The terminology and learning all that. Being in a new setting, meeting new guys.
Being a center, you have to be able to go up there, make a call, and be confident, have the guys around you trust you. That's something you have to earn.
It's like being a freshman again. You have to come in and earn the trust of everybody.
It will be fun. I'm looking forward to it."
Unless Bradbury gets hit by a major injury, Jones’ rookie year will likely be about absorbing everything the position demands in this offense. That means learning how to identify fronts, communicate with the quarterback and the rest of the line, and help set the run game.
He’ll also have to sharpen his pass protection, especially when bigger, stronger and faster defensive linemen start testing his feet. The faster he handles that side of the job, the faster he gets on the field.
Jones has the traits Chicago wants. The question is how quickly he can handle the mental load that comes with playing center.
If he does, the Bears may have their starter. If not, they can bring him along slowly and let Bradbury hold the spot while Jones develops.
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One Hawkeye Is Suddenly Pushing For A Much Bigger Role
With Iowas womens basketball team working through preseason with just 11 players, the spotlight has naturally widened beyond the usual headliners. Assistant coach LaSondra Barrett said sophomore Journey Houston has made a noticeable leap over the offseason, with her improved three-point shooting and growing comfort in a new offensive setup standing out as the Hawkeyes sort through how the roster will fit together.
Houstons progress matters because Iowa is asking her to do more than simply provide depth behind Hannah Stuelke. She has been shifting into a more perimeter-oriented role, and that kind of adjustment can change the shape of a rotation if it sticks. The Hawkeyes also brought in two transfers from Georgia, Dani Carnegie and Jocelyn Faison, and while each is expected to help in different ways, the early buzz around Houston suggests she may be the one forcing the coaching staff to rethink just how large her role can become. [Read more 🡒]
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Iowas roster still has the kind of sturdy backbone that has kept the program relevant in seasons when the broader picture looked shaky. The tight end room remains a natural place to lean, the offensive line should again give the Hawkeyes a chance to play on their terms, and the running back group has enough depth and talent to keep the offense from becoming one-dimensional. Add in the comfort of coaching continuity and a scheme the staff knows inside and out, and there is a path here for a team that can still make itself annoying in the Big Ten.
The uncertainty, though, is familiar in the places that can swing a season. Special teams will be sorting out new faces in key roles, and the secondary has been reshaped by transfers as Iowa tries to keep its defensive standard intact. Even with the known strengths, this is still a team waiting on a few answers before the ceiling becomes clear, which is why the Hawkeyes feel so much like themselves: capable of mattering, but only if the pieces that usually decide close games come together on time. [Read more 🡒]