6 Bears Whose Stock Has Fallen Ahead of Training Camp
By Randy Gurzi
![Zacch Pickens, Chicago Bears Zacch Pickens, Chicago Bears](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,w_3017,h_1697,x_0,y_0/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/ImagnImages/mmsport/258/01j2hk6r5h5hxmd1xvza.jpg)
This season will be huge for the Chicago Bears. Head coach Matt Eberflus will be entering his third year on the job and has a record of 10-24. The good news is the Bears improved from 3-14 in 2022 to 7-10 in 2023, so he's shown progress.
Progress might not be enough for a franchise starved for a winner, however.
The Bears have missed the playoffs in each of the past three seasons and haven't had a winning record since 2018 when they were 12-4 (they went 8-8 when they made the postseason in 2020). Prior to that, they hadn't put together a winning campaign since 2012.
Hopes are high that things can be different in 2024 due to a strong off-season. An influx of talent should lead to results on the field but they need more from these six players who have seen their stock fall ahead of training camp.
6. Braxton Jones, LT
Selected in the fifth round of the NFL Draft in 2022, Braxton Jones was impressive as a rookie. A product of Southern Utah, Jones started all 17 games at left tackle. He was ranked 19th at the position by PFF giving the Bears hope they found their long-term blindside protector.
In his second season, Jones didn't truly develop. He stayed roughly the same in pass protection but struggled in run blocking. He slipped to 34th in PFF's rankings which means he's still a capable starter but he needs to show that the arrow is pointing up this year.
With Caleb Williams under center, the Bears will want to protect their new star quarterback. That will put the spotlight on Jones in year three.