Heading into their Week 5 bye, the Chicago Bears are reportedly making a massive change with left tackle Braxton Jones, who is in the last year of his rookie deal.
According to Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune, the former fifth-round pick is not expected to start in the Bears’ Week 6 game against the Washington Bears. Biggs adds that “the situation remains fluid,” but Theo Benedet is the likely replacement for Jones.
If this is the case for the 26-year-old Jones, it would be a disappointing way for his Bears tenure to end. The 6-foot-5, 303-pound lineman graded out as one of the worst offensive players (41.3) on PFF in the Bears’ 25-24 win over the Las Vegas Raiders last week.
The former Southern Utah lineman produced a 65.8 pass blocking grade, but had a horrific 28.1 run blocking grade. Jones was benched after 28 snaps by Bears head coach Ben Johnson, who moved Benedet over from right to left tackle, and put rookie Ozzy Trapillo at right, which paid off.
Bears Might Be Better Off with Theo Benedet at Left Tackle over Braxton Jones
As for Benedet, his PFF grades were not great from Sunday’s win (38.7 – offense, 44.2 – pass blocking, and 39.8 – run blocking). However, Johnson was pleased with what he saw from the former undrafted agent offensive lineman when speaking on Monday.
"He is a really good run blocker, first and foremost. It probably took him just a minute to settle in (Sunday). It didn’t matter which side it was going to be on, right or left. He’s equally proficient in either one. He’s just had such a good spring and summer for us that I’ve got a lot of confidence."Ben Johnson
According to Kole Noble of AtoZ Sports, when Benedet was at left tackle, running back D’Andre Swift had 34 rushing yards and a touchdown on seven carries. However, when it was Jones, the veteran running back had one yard on six carries.
During training camp, it wasn’t clear who was going to win the left tackle job, as Benedet made some major strides in the preseason and caught the attention of the coaching staff. Ultimately, the Bears went with Jones, but it seems as if Johnson is willing to go through the growing pains of developing Benedet.
Now Jones is staring at the harsh reality of needing to find a new home for 2026. There's no guarantee he gets his job back this season, and since the coaches already seem to think they're better without him being on the field, that foreshadows a split in the offseason as Johnson brings in players who fit his vision better.
One thing we know Johnson takes seriously is the point of attack play in the trenches, which made him successful in Detroit for multiple years. He’s trying to do the same here in the Windy City, and that's caused Jones to be out of a starting job.