One of the notable questions the Chicago Bears face, this offseason, is just who exactly will end up playing left tackle for this offensive line?
After Ozzy Trapilo suffered a ruptured patellar tendon in the playoffs, and is expected to be out for most of the 2026 season (if not all), the Bears looked like they were back at the drawing board. And, as the Bears started to make some moves during the initial stages of the NFL's legal tampering period, Chicago addressed that left tackle spot.
One name that fans knew was there, but didn't necessarily want to entertain coming back, has officially agreed to terms on a 1-year deal back in Chicago.
Braxton Jones and the Bears have agreed on a contract worth up to $10 million, which felt like a move Ryan Poles had to make.
Braxton Jones coming back to the Chicago Bears shouldn't rule out other moves at offensive tackle
Although Jones is now viewed as the starting left tackle, for the immediate future, the Bears absolutely have some options going forward.
Obviously, one of them is a fan favorite who made his name known on HBO's Hard Knocks once upon a time, in Theo Benedet.
If it isn't Benedet who will give Jones some competition, though, Poles can always look to the 2026 NFL Draft -- and I am sure he will.
The Bears don't pick until no. 25 overall in this year's draft, and by that point, all options will be on the table in terms of what position they'll go with. This year's crop of pass rushers and offensive tackles is extremely deep, and in all likelihood, Chicago will be able to get a fine starter at one of those positions, if they so choose.
The hard part is, though, if the Bears go after a tackle at that spot, what do they ultimately do with Trapilo when he's back? He had some flashes and looked like a possible cornerstone at that spot, with more development.
But, if the Bears go wtih a left tackle in the first round, does Trapilo become a backup? Is he traded? Depth is not a bad problem to have, but fans will be asking these questions.
Moreover, if Chicago goes tackle in the first round, that means they still haven't addressed the pass rush (at least, as this is written).
At the very least, the Bears have themselves a capable fill-in starter with Jones. But, is he the guy this team wants to be starting all 17 games? That's the question.