The Chicago Bears are in a position to add some help to the offensive line in the 2023 NFL Draft. Some of the 2023 prospects that fans and analysts have projected to the Bears in the first or second round are specific to left tackle or right tackle.
Paris Johnson for example is likely one prospect who should only be seen as a left tackle. If the Chicago Bears were to select him at nine, it would mean that Braxton Jones is likely to move to right tackle. However, there are some other prospects like Broderick Jones who could be seen on either side. Then, there are even some who are projected to go in the late first or in the second and third round who are only seen as right tackles -- Matthew Bergeron for example.
Will Braxton Jones embrace moving to RT if the Chicago Bears ask?
CHGO_Chicago of The ALLCITY Network had Braxton Jones on their show today and got into some hard-hitting questions thanks to Nicholas Moreano and Mark Carman. Braxton Jones spoke about his offseason training and how he is focusing on improving his base. You can hear the entire interview by following the link -- including questions regarding areas that Brandon Thorn believes Jones needs to improve upon if he wants to remain a starter in this league.
Mark Carman started the questioning off midway through the show by speaking to the elephant in the room that although Ryan Poles had nothing but great things to say about Braxton Jones, he made it clear that Jones has yet to hit his ceiling and that he also has the versatility to play on the right side. Carman asked Braxton Jones if the Chicago Bears were to select an offensive tackle in the 2023 NFL Draft and came to him about moving to the right side of the line, how would he feel about it and what challenges would he need to overcome during the transition?
"This offseason I am doing the things to come back and obviously play left tackle and you know, definitely try to be the cornerstone left tackle for sure. But at the end of the day if they are coming to me and telling me that you might have to make a move to the right, I'd still have a job, right? At the end of the day, I can't be mad, I can't be frustrated. I played right tackle and if I had to make that adjustment, I'd do it. That's a job that I'm trying to win and I'm trying to help the team win. At the end of the day, I'm going to do anything that says 1-0. I'm not going to fight that or anything, but I want to be the left tackle and I've obviously been working a lot of left tackle. I for sure want to stay at left but I'm a huge team player and will do anything for us to go out there and win. I'm just doing what I know, doing what I can every day to get 1% better."Braxton Jones, Chicago Bears LT
Braxton Jones goes on to talk about how difficult it is to switch sides and that isn't anything you can do in a 24-hour period. Adam Hoge asked him what his experience was at right tackle and he did say he has prior experience at right tackle in both high school and his early days in college before transferring to Southern Utah. I highly suggest listening to the entire interview. It was fantastic.
Long story short, it appears that Braxton Jones is going to do whatever it takes to help this team win. He seems like a very down-to-earth guy and a hard worker. Ryan Poles looks to have found a superb offensive lineman in the fifth round no matter if he plays left tackle or right tackle. Props to Jones for being such a team player too.