​Ben Johnson is already drawing some scrutiny for the Chicago Bears’ offseason moves, as originally reported by The Sporting News. If you’d like to cite The Sporting News as a preferred source, you can add it by clicking here. Johnson and the Bears are about to begin their second season under his guidance, and if his first year is any indication, Bears fans may be in for an entertaining ride.
Yet Chicago isn’t without its hiccups. Johnson made a few offseason decisions that have stirred debate and prompted questions about his judgment. Don’t dismiss Johnson, though. A quick look back at last season shows a team that finished first in the NFC North and made the playoffs, a turnaround that felt almost instantaneous. That said, perfection isn’t guaranteed, and one particular choice is drawing more attention and skepticism.
The Bears’ general manager, Ryan Poles, also deserves some level of patience regarding this decision. In the offseason, Chicago traded a 2027 fifth-round pick to the New England Patriots to acquire guard Garrett Bradbury. Shortly after, they selected Logan Jones in the second round of the 2026 NFL draft. At first glance, the moves might seem questionable at best.
In a feature published Friday, Moe Moton of Bleacher Report scrutinizes these decisions. “Don’t be surprised if the Bears bench Bradbury for Jones at some point in the upcoming campaign because of the veteran’s pass-protection issues,” Moton writes. “According to Pro Football Focus, Bradbury didn’t allow a sack, but he yielded 20 pressures over 642 pass-blocking snaps last season.” Moton also notes that Sean Hammond of the Chicago Tribune views Jones as the team’s “future at center.” “Well, the future at the position may arrive sooner than expected if Bradbury struggles to protect franchise quarterback Caleb Williams,” Moton adds.
So while Johnson has earned some leeway for taking calculated risks, this particular decision could either come back to haunt him and Chicago or eventually pay off and quiet the critics. How these choices play out will shape not only the Bears’ fortunes this season but the perception of Johnson’s front-office philosophy.
Meanwhile, other football developments continue to make headlines. For instance, questions about how the 49ers addressed Brandon Aiyuk’s situation hint at potential solutions that might not require trades or releases. Shedeur Sanders could flourish under Todd Monken’s offensive system even without the kind of breakaway speed Lamar Jackson brings. In another move that has drawn attention, the Washington Commanders signed former Eagles Super Bowl champion cornerback Rasul Douglas to a free-agent deal. And in Seattle, the Seahawks sit behind only the Rams and Eagles in ESPN’s 2026 roster rankings, signaling that Seattle remains a serious contender in the league’s evolving landscape.