Given rookie Kiran Amegadjie's struggles in the Chicago Bears' loss to the Minnesota Vikings last Monday night and the offensive line's overall state, the thinking was that Braxton Jones' return to health on Sunday may signal his long-term spot on the Bears' roster.
Amegadjie was a healthy scratch on Sunday, a sign that the Bears wouldn't be ready to turn the left tackle position over to the 2024 third-round pick next season.
While that remains the case, Jones suffered an injury on Sunday that required him to be carted off the field with an air cast on his left foot. The Bears have yet to provide the initial details on Jones' injury but speculation would suggest it's an injury that will have him sidelined for the next 6-12 months.
Week 16 injuries heighten Chicago Bears' biggest offseason need.
With that potential injury timeline, left tackle just became the most important need that the Bears will have this offseason. The offensive line, in general, is likely going to be the priority for the Bears this offseason but with Jones' status in question, the team will need to solidify the left tackle spot if there is going to be any signal of improvement next season.
Sunday's loss to the Detroit Lions also may have provided confirmation that Teven Jenkins will not be back with the team next season. Jenkins left the game with a calf injury, and injuries remain the biggest concern with the former second-round pick moving forward. Jenkins, a free agent after this season, has expressed a desire to engage the Bears in new contract talks, but the team wanted him to prove he can remain available this offseason. That box hasn't been checked.
The offensive line being the priority for the Bears should be concerning considering how negligent Ryan Poles has been in addressing the unit over his first three seasons as general manager. If Poles is brought back after this season, he needs to get the offensive line right. Otherwise, it won't matter who the next head coach is.