Bears HC Ben Johnson Optimistic About Braxton Jones' Comeback

The Chicago Bears are holding an open competition at left tackle, and Johnson believes Jones can bounce back after an injury-plagued 2025 season.

Apr. 2, 2026 at 2:35pm

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The Chicago Bears will hold a competition at left tackle this offseason after Ozzy Trapilo's season-ending injury. Former fifth-round pick Braxton Jones is positioned to win the job again, and Bears head coach Ben Johnson is encouraged by Jones' offseason progress and believes he can regain his pre-injury form.

Why it matters

The left tackle position is a critical spot on the offensive line, and the Bears need to solidify that spot after Trapilo's injury. Jones has an opportunity to cement himself as the long-term answer, but he'll face competition from free agent signings Jedrick Wills Jr. and Theo Benedet.

The details

Jones won the starting left tackle job last summer but was hampered by his injury recovery and didn't play up to his potential in the first four games of the 2025 season. However, Johnson said Jones looks like a 'brand-new man' after signing his new contract and is determined to get his career back on track. The Bears are keeping all options open at left tackle, including potentially drafting a long-term solution, but Johnson believes Jones has more to offer than what was shown last year.

  • Jones won the starting left tackle job in 2025 training camp.
  • Jones struggled with his injury recovery early in the 2025 season.
  • Ozzy Trapilo suffered a season-ending injury in the 2025 wild-card playoffs.

The players

Braxton Jones

A former fifth-round pick of the Chicago Bears who started at left tackle in 2025 but was hampered by an injury.

Ozzy Trapilo

The Bears' starting left tackle in 2025 who suffered a season-ending injury in the playoffs.

Ben Johnson

The head coach of the Chicago Bears who is optimistic about Jones' comeback potential.

Jedrick Wills Jr.

A former first-round pick who signed with the Bears in free agency to compete for the left tackle job.

Theo Benedet

An offensive lineman who re-signed with the Bears to also compete for the left tackle position.

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What they’re saying

“He still didn't feel 100% like himself. What he put on tape those first four games, he didn't feel like was very reflective of what he's capable of. Looking back at it, we would agree with that. There's more in there than what we saw.”

— Ben Johnson, Bears Head Coach

“He came in when he signed the contract and he looked like a brand-new man. This guy was beefed up... He's very determined to get his career trajectory back to where it was before.”

— Ben Johnson, Bears Head Coach

What’s next

The Bears will hold an open competition at left tackle during training camp, with Jones, Wills, and Benedet all vying for the starting job.

The takeaway

The Bears are committed to finding a long-term answer at left tackle, and Jones has an opportunity to reclaim the job he won last year. If he can regain his pre-injury form, he could solidify himself as the team's left tackle of the future.