One of the Chicago Bears' biggest storylines to start the 2025 NFL season was who the starting left tackle would be. Braxton Jones, Kiran Amegadjie, rookie Ozzy Trapilo, and even Theo Benedet were battling to see who the starter would be during training camp before head coach Ben Johnson eventually named Jones the starter.
Many Bears fans expected Jones to open the year as Chicago's LT1, even coming off an injury. That said, the 26-year-old did struggle in the preseason, which worried Bears fans, and those concerns have carried into the first two games of the regular season and have hurt Chicago's offensive line.
IfJones doesn't shape up this week, he could be benched, especially since Johnson has alluded to some potential changes in the lineup following Week 2
Bears LT Braxton Jones May be Benched Soon
Last season, Jones fractured his fibula in Week 16 against the Detroit Lions. Returning from this injury is tough for any offensive lineman because it could affect their ability to anchor. Jones already had issues anchoring against power rushers beforethe injury, so fans had every right to be concerned when he returned.
Those concerns seem a lot worse than many thought after the injury. In his first two games of the year, the 26-year-old has allowed two sacks, two quarterback hits, nine quarterback hurries, and 13 QB pressures, according to Pro Football Focus. Furthermore, he has earned a 50.8 passing blocking grade, a 53.4 run blocking grade, and a 51.0 overall grade.
The 26-year-old's struggles against the Lions led to him being sat out in the fourth quarter. Benedet came in for the final 11 snaps of the game. Despite it being garbage time, the fact that Johnson chose to sit Jones is significant. No other starting offensive lineman was taken off the field, which was likely a warning to the veteran offensive lineman that if he doesn't shape up, he could be permanently benched.
This week against the Dallas Cowboys will be crucial for Jones ' future. Without Micah Parsons, Dallas doesn't really have a dominant disruptor; therefore, if Jones is unable to take care of a middle-of-the-road pass rusher again, Benedet could potentially replace him.
Bears fans will certainly be keeping a close eye on this developing situation.