The Chicago Bears have a ton of problems to solve, especially on the offensive side of the ball. The offense is still not clicking, Caleb Williams and Ben Johnson don't seem to be on the same page, and the Bears just scored their fewest points in a game all season against one of the worst defensive units in the NFL.
One silver lining from Week 8 was the play of the offensive line. Receiving a 73.7 pass block and 70.3 run block grades on Pro Football Focus for some of their best marks of the season, the Bears' offensive line has been on an upward trajectory in recent weeks. This likely marks the end of the Braxton Jones era in Chicago.
Braxton Jones' Days with the Bears Are Numbered After Week 8
Jones lost his starting job at left tackle at halftime against the Raiders in Week 4. After the Bears came back to win, Theo Benedet won the job starting in Week 6, following Chicago's bye. Ever since then, it has been a much better offensive line, even though the scoring output may not be where Bears fans hope it would be.
Against the Ravens, some of the best performers on the team were the offensive linemen. Darnell Wright received the highest grade of any Bears lineman, and Drew Dalman, Benedet, and Ozzy Trapilo were among only six offensive players who received a grade above a 70.
The Bears made a significant investment in Trapilo by drafting him in the second round. Benedet is already looking like a solid starter, and Darnell Wright is on his way to receiving a big contract extension after the season. The offensive tackle position seems to be in good hands for the foreseeable future.
Where Braxton Jones fits in all of this remains a big question. He is on an expiring contract, and considering how he already lost his starting role and just landed on IR, he is about to become an afterthought in Chicago.
Jones has obviously had his moments as a Bear. When available, he is a solid blindside protector. The times he is available, however, have been too few and far between, missing a total of 11 games in the past two seasons. With an IR designation, he is set to miss at least four games (three more after missing Week 8) this season.
Upon his return, Jones could play a role for the Bears as a competent veteran on the offensive line. Yet, his days as a key starter are likely over, and his time in Chicago will come to an end when he inevitably signs elsewhere in the spring.