While Grady Jarrett may have stolen the show of the Wednesday press conference at Halas Hall where the Bears introduced Jarrett, Jonah Jackson, and Joe Thuney, the Bears' belief in Jackson shouldn't be overlooked.
If anything, it seemed clear that Johnson and the Bears weren't sure why the Los Angeles Rams used Jackson mostly as a center last season. After all, Jackson was selected for the Pro Bowl as a left guard with the Detroit Lions in 2021.
Johnson was straight to the point on Wednesday.
"The guy is a Pro Bowl-caliber guard, so that's what we're going to get out of him," Johnson told reporters.
Bears have erased any doubt about their plans for Jonah Jackson
The Bears' belief in Jackson was confirmed by a report from Mike Garafolo of the NFL Network on Thursday. As part of their trade with the Los Angeles Rams, the Bears have signed Jackson to a one-year contract extension. Under his contract with the Rams, Jackson was set to become a free agent after the 2026 season. With the extension, Jackson will have $7MM fully guaranteed for the 2026 season, with their also being a potential $5.25MM in injury guarantees. Jackson, now, is under contract with the Bears through the 2027 season. Jackson will still earn the $17.25MM for the 2025 season.
It seems odd that the Bears are puffing out their chest over a mistake they believe the Rams have made but that is what Johnson's arrival has afforded the Bears. Despite Sean McVay being viewed as one of the best offensive minds in all of football, Johnson is in that conversation.
Beyond Jackson, it also remains likely that the Bears will look to sign Thuney to a contract extension this summer as well. Thuney is a free agent after the 2025 season. Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune suggested earlier on Thursday that an extension for Thuney was on the Bears' to-do list for things to accomplish before the start of the season.