The Chicago Bears trading a late-round pick for Jonah Jackson could turn into one of the defining moments of the year for the team.
He has the upside to be one of the premier right guards in the NFL, but at the same time, he could be out of the starting lineup or hurting the unit all season if things break a certain way. This impact and how important it is for the Bears success makes him number 11 on our roster ranking.
Ranking most important Bears on 2025 roster: Number 11 Jonah Jackson
Jackson was excellent in four seasons with the Detroit Lions. Unfortunately, he priced himself out of Detroit, and the Los Angeles Rams added him. The fit never worked.
Jackson played almost the entirety of his stint with Detroit as a left guard. With the Rams, he played 107 snaps at center, 93 at left guard, and 66 at right guard. He never found a home, he never looked comfortable, and he was never healthy. The Rams had to move on.
On the bright side, Jackson is back with Ben Johnson, a familiar face from Detroit. He can pick up the offense quickly. On the other end, he is expected to start at right guard, a position where he has 211 snaps compared to the 3,706 at left guard.
So, the fit is not quite glove-like. Still, his importance is essential to the Bears.
Read more: Ranking most important Bears on 2025 roster: Number 12 is staple of defense
Their offense needs to take a step in year two of Caleb Williams, and it is clear the Bears think that starts with building up the interior. The importance the team placed on this, his potential as a starter, and the ramifications if he does not hit make him warrant this high ranking.