No NFL team is immune to significant injuries that alter the track of their season. The Los Angeles Chargers had one on Thursday, as left tackle Rashawn Slater suffered what was later reported as a torn patellar tendon in left knee.
Slater's 2025 season is obviously over before it started, and his outlook post-injury is murky.
The Chargers have an easier solution than most teams would have in the wake of losing their left tackle. Right tackle Joe Alt will move over to the left side, where he played in college at Notre Dame, and Trey Pipkins will step in at right tackle.
That said, it's plausible the Chargers keep their eyes open for a possible outside addition before the season starts. It would most likely be just be someone who can fortify their tackle depth, rather than replace Slater or change the more clear-cut plan to move Alt, etc.
Rashawn Slater injury brings too-easy trade speculation for the Bears
On the heels of the unfortunate news about Slater, Bears analyst Ben Devine offered an idea.
That’s rough news. Braxton Jones? https://t.co/jqUGwMhBy9
— Ben Devine (@Chicago_NFL) August 7, 2025
The left tackle competition is the most critical position battle at Bears' training camp, and at this point rookie Ozzy Trapilo seems to be the favorite to win the job. But Jones would be valuable depth if Trapilo beats him out, with 40 starts on his resume with above-average performance history. It would probably surprise Bears fans to find out Pro Football Focus has graded Jones out as a top-25 offensive tackle in two of his three seasons, and he was No. 34 in 2023.
The only thing that would make Jones a viable trade chip at all is how he's entering the final year of his contract. The Bears are unlikely to extend him, in light of drafting Trapilo, and even if they do want to bring him back he can probably find greener pastures elsewhere next March.
Read more: Trade speculation around Bears TE Cole Kmet will linger until further notice
The idea of trading Jones might become a pertinent conversation when we are far closer to the Nov. 4 trade deadline. But right now, unless the Chargers (or another team that subsequently loses its left tackle this preseason) makes an offer that should not be refused, the Bears are better off hanging on to their enviable depth at one of the most important positions on the field.