The Chicago Bears have officially put their season-opening loss to the Minnesota Vikings behind them as they focus on Sunday's clash with the rival Detroit Lions. It's clear that the Bears need a full team effort to beat last year's NFC North Champions, which means it's crucial for anyone who had a bad game last week to step up to help avoid an 0-2 start to the season.
Several Bears had forgettable performances against the Vikings, including a certain $52.5 million blocker who had a debut to forget. Now, it's time for him to get off thin ice before it's too late.
Bears RG Jonah Jackson Is on Thin Ice in Week 2
The Bears wanted to reinforce the offensive line in front of franchise quarterback Caleb Williams this past offseason. One route they took to try getting there included acquiring veteran guard Jonah Jackson from the Los Angeles Rams, sending a 2025 sixth-round pick back the other way. It wasn't long after that when Jackson agreed to an extension with Chicago for the 2027 campaign, bringing his contract to $52.5 million for the next three seasons.
Jackson had established himself as a decent blocker during his time with the Rams and Detroit Lions, but that reputation wasn't on display in Week 1. The ex-Ohio State product struggled to provide adequate protection, surrendering five quarterback hurries while taking two penalties.
By the time the dust settled, Jackson was left with 44.8 run block and 22.6 pass protection grades on Pro Football Focus, as well as an overall grade of 31.0. All three grades were the worst among the Bears' offensive players, further illustrating the thinness of the ice beneath his cleats.
It'll be interesting to see how Jackson and the rest of the Bears' O-line hold up against the Lions this week. Detroit's pass rush struggled against the Green Bay Packers last week, generating only seven total pressures throughout the night. Ensuring those struggles continue with a strong blocking performance would help Jackson get back into the Windy City's good graces.
Hopefully, Week 1 was a one-off, and he can bounce back at Ford Field. Otherwise, the Bears might have to consider reshuffling the offensive line, and any changes will start with Jackson.