Braxton Jones is not a failed draft pick. Getting three years of solid start left tackle play from a 5th round pick is a big win for any organization. However, the Chicago Bears must face reality. Jones likely won’t get much better than he’s been the past two years. That is a solid but unremarkable player. There is nothing wrong with that, but given how important left tackle is to the success of a franchise, the Bears are duty-bound to look for upgrades if possible. That process hit a key point this offseason.
Chicago already added intrigue to the situation when they drafted Kiran Amegadjie in the 3rd round last year. Yet everybody knew he was more of a project. It would take a year or two before he’d be ready. Then the Bears drafted Ozzy Trapilo in the 2nd round this year. The Boston College standout is considered one of the most pro-ready tackles in the 2025 class. Some have started wondering if Jones even has a job to return to. Bleacher Report thinks the odds are good that he could get traded, and revealed the likely return the Bears would see.
Trade Package: 2026 fourth- and seventh-round picks
The Chicago Bears are already preparing for life without left tackle Braxton Jones. They drafted Boston College tackle Ozzy Trapilo with a second-round pick in this year’s draft despite already having Jones and Darnell Wright on the roster…
…Jones is now entering the final year of his rookie deal and coming off a fractured fibula that he suffered in December. The Bears can complete their offensive line overhaul by flipping Jones and getting something in return for him.
Braxton Jones’ fate will likely be decided by early August.
Right now, there is nothing he can do. He’s still recovering from the fractured tibia he suffered last season. Expectations are that he will not be ready for the start of training camp in late July. This gives Amegadjie and Trapilo plenty of time to make their cases for not just the starting job but the primary backup role as well. If they perform well, it might compel GM Ryan Poles to send Braxton Jones somewhere he can compete for a job. Two draft picks would likely be more than they’d receive by letting him hit free agency next year.
In truth, this isn’t likely to happen. Every indication from the coaching staff suggests they have a high opinion of Jones. He has all the qualities of a good starter and is far more proven than their other two options. Some feel Jones deserves a chance to show his mettle in a far more proven offense, especially with actual good teammates like Joe Thuney playing next to him.
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