The Chicago Bears entered the 2025 offseason with a ton of cap space and a lot of holes to fill. The fanbase was curious about how the front office would use their space to address their needs. On Tuesday, GM Ryan Poles made his first big move by trading a sixth-round pick to the Los Angeles Rams for Jonah Jackson.
The veteran offensive lineman had signed a three-year, $51 million deal with the Rams last year after spending the first four seasons of his career with the Detroit Lions. Jackson, who spent most of his career at left guard, will likely continue playing that role in Chicago. This means that Teven Jenkins will likely not return for the Bears.
Trade: Rams are in the process of sending veteran offensive lineman Jonah Jackson to the Chicago Bears in exchange for a 2025 sixth-round pick, per ESPN’s @CourtneyRCronin. The trade cannot be processed until March 12. pic.twitter.com/lj3M8VW5V8
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 4, 2025
Jonah Jackson Trade Confirms Teven Jenkins Won't Return in 2025
Even though he was initially drafted as a long-term left tackle solution, Jenkins eventually moved inside to guard. Over the years, he spent time on both sides but exclusively played at left guard in 2024.
While his injuries have been a major concern for the Bears ever since he was a second-round pick, Jenkins has been solid when he has been on the field. His performance has been especially strong since moving inside, getting 72.6 and 75.4 PFF grades in back-to-back years. However, he has missed at least three games in each of his four seasons in the NFL.
It was reported earlier in the year that Jenkins' camp had approached the Bears about a contract extension, but the front office didn't show much interest. For a player who has missed 23 games already in his career, the hesitance by the Bears was understandable.
Acquiring Jackson via a trade means that the Bears have already made their determination about Jenkins' future. The 27-year-old will almost certainly command a lucrative, long-term deal elsewhere in free agency.