A member of a the new-look Chicago Bears offensive line returned to practice on Monday.
Right guard Jonah Jackson, acquired in a March trade with the Los Angeles Rams, was back on the practice field after missing time earlier in training camp with a leg injury. On July 31, CHGO Bears insider Adam Jahns shared that Jackson, a 2021 Pro Bowler with the Detroit Lions, was "day-to-day" with his injury.
He attempted to return on Saturday, but Chicago Tribune's Bears reporter Brad Briggs noted he was unable to finish the practice session.
His return was a welcome sight for the Bears. Briggs reported that while Jackson returned, Chicago was down three linemen because of injuries.
RG Jonah Jackson back at practice today after leaving early on Saturday.#Bears down 3 OL for practice: Kiran Amegadjie (leg), Bill Murray (right ankle) and Ricky Stromberg (concussion).
— Brad Biggs (@BradBiggs) August 3, 2025
Bears Need Jonah Jackson Healthy This Season
On March 5, the Bears and Rams agreed to a trade, sending Jackson to Chicago in exchange for a 2025 sixth-round pick.
Last season, Jackson only appeared in four games for Los Angeles. He started at left guard in Weeks 1-2 before a shoulder injury landed him on injured reserve, and when he returned, he was quickly benched after a rough start at center.
He ended the regular season on a high note, with Pro Football Focus giving him a 91.8 overall grade in a Week 18 start against the Seattle Seahawks.
Despite the disappointing season, the Bears are expecting big things out of the rising sixth-year veteran. The front office extended Jackson through 2027 after acquiring him in the trade with the Rams, and he is now owed $17.5 million this season.
Jackson has demonstrated that, when healthy, he can be a positive contributor. And after beginning his career in Detroit, first-year Bears head coach Ben Johnson, the former Lions offensive coordinator, should know how to best use his 2025 offseason trade acquisition.
Jackson is part of a broader reconstruction along the offensive line, with the Bears also trading for former Kansas City Chiefs guard Joe Thuney and signing former Atlanta Falcons center Drew Dalman to a three-year, $42 million contract in free agency in March.
During the 2025 NFL Draft, the Bears used a second-round pick (No. 56 overall) on massive 6-foot-8 offensive tackle Ozzy Trapilo, who is currently in competition with 2022 fifth-rounder Braxton Jones for a role on the first-team offense. Darnell Wright, the team's 2023 first-round pick, is slated to start at right tackle.
Last season, quarterback Caleb Williams was sacked an NFL-high 68 times, tied for the third-most in league history. (h/t Stathead)
For the Bears to play meaningful games into December, the offensive line must be better. Jackson should play a crucial role as long as he remains healthy. After a concerning start to training camp, Monday was a step in the right direction.