When the Chicago Bears selected Braxton Jones in the fifth round of the 2022 NFL Draft, no one knew that he would so quickly become an integral part of this starting offensive line. Yet, as a rookie he would go on to start all 17 games under former head coach Matt Eberflus.
Fast forward three years, and the Bears are heading in an entirely different direction. A couple of weeks ago, Jones was benched in favor of former undrafted free agent Theo Benedet, and things have been going much better in the run game since the switch.
Now, ESPN's Jeremy Fowler and Matt Bowen believe Jones is one of the top potentially-available trade candidates ahead of the November 4 deadline.
The Bears might trade Braxton Jones at the deadline, but at what cost?
"Rival teams agree that Jones is a sensible trade candidate after his benching in favor of Theo Benedet and his résumé as a multiyear starter in Chicago. Jones is also in a contract year, and he is now healthy following an ankle issue that plagued him for much of 2025," wrote Fowler.
It is intriguing to think the Bears might actually trade Jones at this stage. Yes, the run game has looked much different with Benedet on the field thanks to his more well-rounded skill set. But, if either Darnell Wright or Benedet were to go down, the remaining tackle would be rookie Ozzy Trapilo, whom the Bears do not deem ready enough to start yet.
That isn't necessarily a knock on Trapilo, of course. Benedet may have just practiced well enough to earn his spot in the pecking order. But, is Trapilo good enough to be a swing tackle and fill in on either side? Jones is as good of a backup left tackle as you'll find in this league, whether or not fans are willing to admit it.
Jones has been straight-up mauled by more powerful rushers, but in a pinch, he is good enough to fill in. Should the Bears move Jones for a Day 3 pick, it wouldn't be the worst move. However, they could also net a compensatory pick if he signs elsewhere next offseason, so Ryan Poles needs to be careful here.
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At the moment, Fowler and Bowen give Jones a 25 percent chance to be moved. That's not nothing, but it also shouldn't be overly concerning to fans who would rather him stick around.