The Chicago Bears have shifted their attention to Week 1 when they host the Minnesota Vikings on Monday Night Football. Roster cutdown day is on Aug. 26 at 4 p.m. ET, and there will be a flurry of moves happening across the league.
With plenty of players slated to get released, some trades will take place. ESPN's Bill Barnwell pitched 10 trades that could happen, and he floated one that could go down with Chicago. In Barnwell's proposal, the Bears traded OT Braxton Jones to the Los Angeles Rams for CB Derion Kendrick and a 2026 sixth-round pick.
New (free) column: 10 would-be trades that (might?) make sense for both teams in advance of teams cutting down to 53 and the start of the regular season https://t.co/Uz6B6TkNAi
— Bill Barnwell (@billbarnwell) August 25, 2025
Bears Trade Braxton Jones to Rams in Proposed Deal
While some fans may be surprised that the Bears would potentially move on from Jones, it shouldn't be a shocker if it did happen. Despite being a 40-game starter for Chicago, it's been evident this offseason that he isn't penciled in as their starting LT.
The Bears drafted Ozzy Trapilo in the second round of the 2025 NFL draft, and he's been taking first-team reps throughout OTAs and training camp. Theo Benedet has also received praise from his coaches and has been a contender in the LT competition.
This combination, in addition to Jones being in the final year of his rookie deal, makes it easy to see why the Bears would move on from him. Granted, Jones has a lot of starting experience in the NFL, but injuries have been a big problem for him. The 26-year-old has missed at least five games over the last two seasons, and that's less than ideal.
With Ben Johnson calling the shots and a new coaching staff in the building, there are no ties to Jones. Just like everyone else on the roster, the Southern Utah product had to prove himself to the staff, and it looks like he hasn't done a great job at that.
With two cheaper options at left tackle, the Bears would be wise to move on from Jones now to get any assets back. Teams are always looking for better tackles, so the idea of trading Jones for Kendrick and a pick is a good deal.
Kendrick tore his ACL last year, but over 32 games (18 starts), he has recorded 92 total tackles, 14 pass deflections, and one pick.
Adding a young CB to the fold in exchange for Jones may be a pathway the Bears should actually go down.