​LAKE FOREST, ILLINOIS – JUNE 10: Braxton Jones #70 of the Chicago Bears speaks to the media after Chicago Bears Minicamp at Halas Hall on June 10, 2026 in Lake Forest, Illinois. (Photo by Geoff Stellfox/Getty Images) | Getty Images
I nearly doubled down at the ninth spot on a position rather than a specific player, much like I did with center yesterday, but the more I considered it, the more I realized Braxton Jones represents the best case scenario at left tackle for the 2026 Chicago Bears. He was the strongest option last year as well, but a lingering ankle injury prevented him from fully claiming the starter’s role, resulting in a training camp competition with Ozzy Trapilo, Kiran Amegadjie, and Theo Benedet. Jones ultimately won the job by default when no one outperformed him, though it was clear he wasn’t at 100%, and he was eventually benched before another injury sent him to injured reserve.
This year, Trapilo is the one dealing with an injury, but his recovery will keep him out for a while as he rehabs a ruptured patellar tendon. The Bears did add Jedrick Wills Jr. to compete alongside the returning Amegadjie and Benedet, and while OTAs aren’t awarding starting jobs, Jones has been with the first team all offseason. With no rehabilitation to contend with, Jones trained with five-time Pro Bowler Terron Armstead this offseason, and Armstead is optimistic about what his pupil will achieve in 2026.
Here’s what Armstead recently said about Jones in an interview with Cassie Carlson, via BearsWire: “From what I’ve seen and what I know about Braxton moving forward, this is a person who is secure in himself now that he knows he can execute at a high level. He’s done the work, and he really wants to prove that work to himself. Not to the masses, not to the fans or the media, but to himself that he can play at the highest level. Because he’s starting to truly believe that, and that’s where it has to start. If you have doubt, that doubt will show on the field. He’s正在 erasing that through work, technique, and perfecting his craft.”
Jones may not have been physically fully recovered last offseason, but mentally he wasn’t ready either. He didn’t trust his surgically repaired fibula, and his play suffered. “The procedures I’ve had are fine, and everything’s strong—that’s really what it is,” Jones said a few weeks ago via FOX 32. “Even last year, I was in a good place, but I didn’t trust it. I didn’t trust the positions I was putting myself in. And when you don’t trust that, you’re never going to produce a good outcome.”
The 27-year-old weighed several free-agent options this offseason, but he and the Bears agreed to a one-year deal that could be worth up to $10 million. If he stays healthy, he’s positioning himself for a solid payday next offseason. But that’s a big if, given the only time he’s been fully healthy in a season remains uncertain.