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Braxton Jones Secures Starting Left Tackle Role for Bears as Ozzy Trapilo Recovers
When the Bears opened their 2026 training camp, the left‑tackle seat was a battlefield. The veteran guard who had earned a one‑year contract after a knee injury in 2025 was pitted against the rookie‑turned‑starter Ozzy Trapilo, who had stepped in during Jones’s absence. The outcome was clear: Braxton Jones will be the Bears’ first‑round choice on the offensive line for Week 1.
Jones, a fourth‑round pick from Southern Utah in 2022, has been a reliable presence for Chicago. Over 46 games, he logged 44 starts and earned a Pro Football Focus grade of 77.4, ranking him 20th among tackles league‑wide. The position is no ordinary role; it protects the blindside of Caleb Williams, the franchise’s first‑overall pick in 2024 and the team's offensive engine. A strong left tackle can be the difference between a quarterback’s arm and a defender’s glove.
The path to the start was anything but smooth. In 2024 Jones started 44 of 46 games, but a knee injury in 2025 forced him onto injured reserve in October. Trapilo seized the opportunity, starting the remainder of the season and helping the Bears finish 11‑6 in 2025. Jones returned from injury in January 2026, just in time for the playoffs, but the competition for the spot resumed when the regular season loomed.
During the summer, Chicago rotated several players at left tackle—Jones, Kiran Amegadjie, and Jedrick Wills Jr.—to assess depth. As the season approached, the battle narrowed to Jones and Trapilo. Head coach Ben Johnson, known for his willingness to make changes, told reporters that the Bears were open to any player who could prove himself. "We’re not afraid to make adjustments," Johnson said. "The guy who earns the role stays there."
Jones answered that challenge with humility and confidence. "I’m incredibly proud of myself for fighting back… That’s a great accomplishment, not a lot of fifth‑rounders get to do that. I’m going to try and continue to seize that moment and do the work that nobody is watching me do. I think everything will take care of itself," he said. The veteran’s words underscore the personal triumph behind the roster move.
The return of Jones to the starting lineup restores stability to a position the Bears have struggled with since 2024. A solid left tackle is critical to protecting Williams’ blindside, and a reliable line will be a cornerstone of Chicago’s pursuit of another NFC North title. Jones’s one‑year deal could make him a free agent next season if he performs at a high level, adding a layer of intrigue to future roster decisions.
If Trapilo clears his injury, the Bears will re‑evaluate the position. For now, Jones holds the job and will be tested in the season opener at Soldier Field against the Detroit Lions. The game will probe Jones’s durability and the offensive line’s ability to keep Williams safe as Chicago seeks to improve on its 11‑6 record.
Jones’s ascent from a fourth‑round pick to the Bears’ starting left tackle after a tough season and a competitive camp is a testament to resilience. The franchise now relies on him to anchor the line, protect its star quarterback, and deliver a playoff run. The coming weeks will be a proving ground for his durability and skill, and the Bears’ offensive success will hinge on the stability of that left‑tackle seat.
Jones, a fourth‑round pick from Southern Utah in 2022, has been a reliable presence for Chicago. Over 46 games, he logged 44 starts and earned a Pro Football Focus grade of 77.4, ranking him 20th among tackles league‑wide. The position is no ordinary role; it protects the blindside of Caleb Williams, the franchise’s first‑overall pick in 2024 and the team's offensive engine. A strong left tackle can be the difference between a quarterback’s arm and a defender’s glove.
The path to the start was anything but smooth. In 2024 Jones started 44 of 46 games, but a knee injury in 2025 forced him onto injured reserve in October. Trapilo seized the opportunity, starting the remainder of the season and helping the Bears finish 11‑6 in 2025. Jones returned from injury in January 2026, just in time for the playoffs, but the competition for the spot resumed when the regular season loomed.
During the summer, Chicago rotated several players at left tackle—Jones, Kiran Amegadjie, and Jedrick Wills Jr.—to assess depth. As the season approached, the battle narrowed to Jones and Trapilo. Head coach Ben Johnson, known for his willingness to make changes, told reporters that the Bears were open to any player who could prove himself. "We’re not afraid to make adjustments," Johnson said. "The guy who earns the role stays there."
Jones answered that challenge with humility and confidence. "I’m incredibly proud of myself for fighting back… That’s a great accomplishment, not a lot of fifth‑rounders get to do that. I’m going to try and continue to seize that moment and do the work that nobody is watching me do. I think everything will take care of itself," he said. The veteran’s words underscore the personal triumph behind the roster move.
The return of Jones to the starting lineup restores stability to a position the Bears have struggled with since 2024. A solid left tackle is critical to protecting Williams’ blindside, and a reliable line will be a cornerstone of Chicago’s pursuit of another NFC North title. Jones’s one‑year deal could make him a free agent next season if he performs at a high level, adding a layer of intrigue to future roster decisions.
If Trapilo clears his injury, the Bears will re‑evaluate the position. For now, Jones holds the job and will be tested in the season opener at Soldier Field against the Detroit Lions. The game will probe Jones’s durability and the offensive line’s ability to keep Williams safe as Chicago seeks to improve on its 11‑6 record.
Jones’s ascent from a fourth‑round pick to the Bears’ starting left tackle after a tough season and a competitive camp is a testament to resilience. The franchise now relies on him to anchor the line, protect its star quarterback, and deliver a playoff run. The coming weeks will be a proving ground for his durability and skill, and the Bears’ offensive success will hinge on the stability of that left‑tackle seat.
