Among all the position battles at Chicago Bears training camp, one was clearly atop the list based on importance. And it was regarded as open-ended practically all along, despite evidence that it was ultimately going a certain (and expected) way.
On Tuesday, heading into the season opener against the Minnesota Vikings, head coach Ben Johnson finally confirmed Braxton Jones will be the Bears' starting left tackle.
Johnson previously acknowledged the left tackle situation can be considered fairly fluid and subject to change during the season if it comes to that. Some analysts believe the starting left tackle for the Bears at the end of this season is not currently on the roster, which means a trade will be deemed necessary, eventually.
Bears offered uninspiring pivot if Braxton Jones can't hold it down at LT
Kristopher Knox of Bleacher Report had Houston Texans left tackle Cam Robinson on his trade block board heading into Week 1, with the Bears as one of two proposed suitors.
"Houston Texans offensive tackle Cam Robinson ranks near the top of our list because he plays a premium position and can likely be had for a reasonable price."
"The Texans added Robinson after trading Laremy Tunsil earlier this offseason. While the veteran can provide valuable insurance, Houston is comfortable with rookie second-round pick Aireontae Ersery as its starter."
"ESPN's DJ Bien-Aime reported on August 26 that Robinson was "the subject of trade talks."
"Obviously, no deal has materialized yet, but that could change at any time. Any team seeking a starter at left tackle should be interested, as the 29-year-old has 101 starts on his resume."
"Robinson should command a bit more in September than what the Jacksonville Jaguars got for him last October."
As left tackle options who may be available go, 101 career starts does make Robinson stand out. But even in his best years, he's been barely above average based on his Pro Football Focus grades and the eye test.
If that career profile sounds familiar, albeit over three seasons rather than eight, it should. Any description of Robinson also applies to Jones: "He's fine", "You could do worse", etc.
Knox referenced how the Jaguars traded Robinson last October, so let's dive into that. Jacksonville sent Robinson and a conditional 2026 seventh-round pick to the Minnesota Vikings for a conditional fifth-round pick in 2026.
However, the Vikings were fairly desperate for a left tackle after Christian Darrisaw suffered a season-ending knee injury. Time will tell if the Bears end up in a similar position during this season. The options behind Jones are inexperienced, so shy of his performance being unavoidably awful it would likely take an injury for him to lose the job.
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No team will willingly surrender a capable starting left tackle in a trade, so if the Bears are pushed in that direction their options won't be plentiful. But Robinson is simply a Jones clone, so if the time comes to consider a trade a better option will hopefully, somehow, come to light.