Bears left tackle
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Chicago Bears left tackle Braxton Jones and quarterback Caleb Williams.
The Chicago Bears are heading into the 2025 season with significant optimism surrounding quarterback Caleb Williams, a revamped receiving corps, and a defense that closed last season on a hot streak. However, ESPN Bears reporter Courtney Cronin raised major concerns about the Bears’ offensive line — specifically at left tackle.
During a recent discussion, Cronin was asked who she expected to start at left tackle in Week 1. Her answer was Braxton Jones, noting that he has exclusively taken first-team reps throughout camp. But she emphasized that the Bears are framing the position as an open competition to light a fire under Jones, who has been the starter for the past three seasons.
Where Cronin turned some heads was when she was asked about who she believed would be protecting Williams’ blind side by Week 18. Her answer: “Not on the roster. I think they’ve got to make a trade at the deadline.”
That bold prediction sparked conversation among Bears fans and analysts alike, as it suggested that Chicago may not be fully confident in their options at left tackle.
Chicago’s Future at Left Tackle Remains Cloudy Despite Recent Investments
Jones, a 2022 fifth-round pick out of Southern Utah, has been a solid but inconsistent starter for the Bears since his rookie season. While he’s shown athleticism and technique in stretches, he’s also struggled against bull rushes and staying firm at the point of attack.
But no matter what opinion you may have of him, Jones is slated to land a contract that pays him more than $20 million per year. Just look at the Tennessee Titans; they handed Pittsburgh Steelers left tackle Dan Moore Jr. a four-year, $82 million deal, who is around the same, if not worse than Jones.
It feels that at this point, Jones would need to have a monster season to stay in Chicago after this season. All signs are pointing towards him leaving in free agency in 2026, which leaves the Bears with an uncertain future at left tackle.
Chicago drafted offensive tackle Ozzy Trapilo in the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft, but despite optimism around his ability to play at both tackle spots, the team has reverted to making Trapilo play at right tackle in the last two preseason games. 2024 third-round pick Kiran Amegadjie is now taking snaps at guard, and Theo Benedet is still an unknown with zero career starts at left tackle.
The Bears need more than just “good enough” at left tackle. With Williams being the centerpiece of the organization’s rebuild, Chicago cannot afford to gamble with shaky protection on his blind side.
Courtney Cronin’s Take Highlights Bears’ Potential Move
The hope is that Jones, or any of the other options at left tackle, can prove they can not only hold down the starting spot, but be more than just a serviceable starter. If not, Cronin’s suggestion that the Bears should pursue a left tackle during the NFL trade deadline could come to fruition.
Every year, star players on struggling teams become potential trade chips. It’s hard to gauge who those potential left tackle options are before the start of the season, but for the Bears, making a move would signal an all-in approach to protecting Williams and chasing a playoff spot.
After years of instability at quarterback, Chicago believes they finally has a franchise signal-caller, and it would make sense for the front office to ensure the offensive line is not a liability.
The left tackle position is arguably one of the most important positions on offense, and if Jones continues to be inconsistent, Chicago may indeed be forced to look elsewhere by the time the deadline approaches.
For now, Jones will likely begin the year as the starter, but his leash may be shorter than ever. If Cronin is right, the Bears’ starter at left tackle in Week 18 might be from another team.