While there are a lot of Chicago Bears players who might be facing pressure in 2026, left tackle Braxton Jones has more heat on him than anyone else.
Just last year, he won the left tackle job and hoped he kept the whole season. That lasted four games before Theo Benedet took over and later taken by Ozzy Trapilo.
Entering the 2026 season, Jones looks to be in line to start Week 1, but Trapilo will replace him when he is 100% healthy after his injury. That leaves the 2026 season to be a big one for Jones' NFL career.
Braxton Jones faces pressure entering the 2026 season with the Bears
ESPN NFL writer Bill Barnwell listed Jones as one of the players, coaches, and executives who are facing the most pressure in 2026. Jones' future is on the line, depending on how he plays.
"Trapilo will eventually regain the starting job once healthy, but Jones is essentially on display for the league's other 31 teams for as long as he's on the field at left tackle in Chicago.
Would he have a big market in free agency? Two years ago, middling (Dan Moore Jr., Titans) and inexperienced (Jaylon Moore, Chiefs) left tackles earned significant contracts in free agency. After those deals disappointed, the league as a whole collectively shrugged at Packers tackle Rasheed Walker this offseason, leading the three-year starter to sign with the Panthers for a smaller deal than the one Jones signed in Chicago. Given how many teams desperately need left tackle solutions, if Jones can stay healthy and play well, I'd expect him to have a real market in 2027. There's just a lot of road ahead of that scenario."
In 136 pass-blocking snaps last season, Jones allowed 15 pressures, two quarterback hits, and two sacks. Pro Football Focus gave him a 55.5 overall grade, while also giving him a pass-blocking grade of 62.7 and a run-blocking grade of 47.2.
There was a lot of buzz around Jones in the offseason, showcasing that he was 100% healthy and ready to play the best football of his career. That didn't happen in training camp, as he struggled mightily and barely looked better than Kiran Amegadjie and Jedrick Wills Jr., both of whom were cut from the team.
Jones probably won't have his job for long since Trapilo is making good progress in getting healthy. That makes every snap count for Jones during the regular season, whether that's one week or the first month.
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If he can't step up and play well, he might ruin his shot at competing for a starting job elsewhere. It might even cost him a chance to be a backup on another team, so failure is not an option for Jones.
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