Braxton Jones Eager to Reclaim Bears' Starting Left Tackle Role

The fifth-round draft pick is back with the team after testing free agency, ready to compete for his old job.

Mar. 21, 2026 at 1:29am

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Braxton Jones, a fifth-round draft pick by the Chicago Bears in 2022, is excited to return to the team on a one-year contract and compete for the starting left tackle position. After starting all 17 games as a rookie, Jones lost the job in 2024 but is now poised to win it back with the departure of last year's starter Ozzy Trapilo due to injury.

Why it matters

The Bears' offensive line has been a point of emphasis this offseason, and the left tackle spot is a key position that will help determine the success of their passing attack. Jones' return provides stability and experience at a crucial spot, as he looks to regain the form that made him a reliable starter early in his career.

The details

Jones, a 6-5, 303-pound tackle, started all 17 games for the Bears as a rookie in 2022. He held the starting left tackle job for the next two seasons as well, though injuries limited him to 11 games in 2023 and 12 in 2024. Last year, Jones won a competition in training camp to retain the starting role, but was replaced by Ozzy Trapilo in the second quarter of a Week 4 game against the Raiders. Jones later suffered a knee injury that sidelined him for the rest of the season. With Trapilo now expected to miss most of 2025 due to a knee injury, the left tackle job is up for grabs, and Jones is eager to reclaim it.

  • Jones was selected by the Bears in the fifth round of the 2022 NFL Draft.
  • He started all 17 games as a rookie in 2022.
  • In 2023 and 2024, injuries limited Jones to 11 and 12 games, respectively.
  • Last year, Jones won the starting left tackle job in training camp but was replaced during the season and later suffered a knee injury.
  • Trapilo, who took over the starting role, is expected to miss most of the 2025 season due to a knee injury.

The players

Braxton Jones

A fifth-round draft pick by the Chicago Bears in 2022, Jones has been the team's starting left tackle for the past three seasons, though injuries have limited his availability at times.

Ozzy Trapilo

Trapilo took over the starting left tackle job from Jones last season but is now expected to miss most of the 2025 campaign due to a knee injury.

Theo Benedet

Benedet is another offensive lineman who will compete with Jones for the starting left tackle position.

Kiran Amegadjie

Amegadjie is also in the mix to start at left tackle for the Bears this season.

Jedrick Wills

Wills is a free-agent signee who will also vie for the Bears' starting left tackle job.

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What they’re saying

“Early on [there were] talks at the Combine [about possibly signing elsewhere], but when it came down to it, the Bears in the situation we have here is the best for myself. I'm not choosing comfortability but knowing I've been here for the last four years putting that all into the picture kind of made the decision itself.”

— Braxton Jones

“It was a big learning moment for me just putting that chip back on my shoulder and also checking myself for where I was and what I need to be better at. Looking back at it now, I wouldn't say I'm happy about it. But I've learned a lot from it and I've grown from it and I've realized maybe that's something that needed to happen for me to boost my career again.”

— Braxton Jones

“Being able to re-sign with the Bears for another year and just the opportunity that is presented is amazing. I'm extremely grateful. I'm excited to show that I can go out and be full go.”

— Braxton Jones

What’s next

With Ozzy Trapilo expected to miss most of the 2025 season, the competition for the Bears' starting left tackle job will be wide open. Braxton Jones, who held the role for three-plus seasons, will battle Theo Benedet, Kiran Amegadjie, and free-agent signee Jedrick Wills for the opportunity to reclaim his old starting spot.

The takeaway

Braxton Jones' return to the Bears provides stability and experience at a crucial position on the offensive line. After losing the starting left tackle job last season, Jones is eager to regain his form and prove he can be a reliable anchor for the Bears' passing attack moving forward.