On the first day of NFL free agency, also known as the league's legal tampering period, the Chicago Bears opted to bring back one of their own in offensive tackle Braxton Jones.
It was a move that didn't necessarily ring loudly for Bears fans, who were maybe expecting a bigger splash if they team chose to go after an offensive tackle, but in the grand scheme of things, it did make some sense.
Bears insider Brad Biggs appeared on 104.3 The Score the morning after the news and offered some insight as to why the team decided to bring Jones back.
“I think you’re looking at a situation where he’s going to have to compete with Theo Benedet, but this is a move that made sense all along. I know some people aren’t blown away, but if Braxton Jones can play this season at the level he was at 2024, pre-injury, it’s going to be money well-spent for the Bears. It’ll be a bargain.”
For fans who might have been disappointed, this should help clear things up.
The Chicago Bears are playing it smart by re-signing Braxton Jones
Here's the reality: the Bears made a necessary move by re-signing a player who had his best season, as a pro, just before a major injury.
If you think about it, the Bears really didn't need to go out and spend big money on an offensive tackle. And, unless they surprise us and use significant draft capital on a tackle, their plan seems to be already in place at th eposition.
With Ozzy Trapilo earning the trust of Ben Johnson as a rookie, and appearing as though he could be a franchise left tackle in the making, Chicago would be doing themselves a disservice by complicating that room.
Of course, if Ryan Poles sees astronomical value, he'll pounce. But, in all likelihood, the Bears' left tackle is going to be one of Jones or Benedet -- and that should be more than fine.
Looking back at the 2024 version of Jones is sort of tough to do, because that season was marred by all of the negativity surrounding Matt Eberflus, Shane Waldron and the abysmal direction the campaign went.
But, people might have forgotten. Before Jones went down with a season-ending injury late in the year, he was playing the best football of his career.
Take Pro Football Focus for what it's worth to you, but Jones earned a pass blocking grade of 80.8 on the season in 2024. And, his run blocking was almost as good, as he was given a grade of 70.2 in that department. His 77.4 grade, overall, was good for 21st out of 81 qualifying tackles.
Read more: Bears bring back a key offensive name amid serious questions at the position
Taking all of that into consideration, I'd say Biggs is spot on here. If Jones is truly healthy, and he's fully recovered from the broken leg that he made his way back from last year, then the Bears could be in great shape for the 2025 season.