The overhaul of the Chicago Bears' offensive line is officially underway.
One year after the Bears traded for offensive lineman Ryan Bates to address a theoretical need at center, Ryan Poles is going to trade market ahead of free agency once again. The Bears are sending a sixth-round pick to the Los Angeles Rams in exchange for offensive lineman Jonah Jackson.
Trade: Rams are in the process of sending veteran offensive lineman Jonah Jackson to the Chicago Bears in exchange for a 2025 sixth-round pick, per ESPN’s @CourtneyRCronin. The trade cannot be processed until March 12. pic.twitter.com/lj3M8VW5V8
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 4, 2025
The Bears have nearly $80MM in salary cap space this offseason and will be using some of that room to absorb Jackson's contract. Jackson, who signed a three-year deal with the Rams last offseason, is due $9MM in 2025 along with a $8.5MM signing bonus, and $17MM in 2026. Jackson's 2026 salary isn't guaranteed.
Bears begin offensive line upgrades with trade for Jonah Jackson.
Jackson is familiar with Ben Johnson's offense, spending his time as a starting guard for the Detroit Lions prior to his move to the Rams last offseason. When Johnson was the Lions' passing game coordinator in 2021, Jackson was named to the Pro Bowl.
The main takeaway from the NFL Scouting Combine last week was that the Bears were preparing to spend heavily on the interior offensive line. Entering the offseason, it was clear that the Bears had a need at center along with each guard position.
Considering the Bears gave up a sixth-round draft pick and absorbed all of Jackson's contract, odds are that he can be penciled in as one of the Bears' starting guards. An injury during training camp with the Rams last season led to Jackson quickly becoming the odd man out. Now healthy and reuniting with Johnson, the veteran offensive lineman is a clear bounce-back candidate for the 2025 season.
The trade for Jackson also likely lessens the chances that Trey Smith is available in a possible sign-and-trade with the Kansas City Chiefs. Despite being franchise-tagged by the Chiefs, there had been some speculation that a trade involving Smith may still be on the table for the Bears. Chances are the Bears wouldn't have made the move for Jackson had a Smith trade still been a possibility.
After the trade for Jackson, the Bears are now in a position to add the needed starting offensive line upgrades within the next week. If the Bears' top priority in free agency will be Drew Dalman, a one-year deal with Kevin Zeitler makes a lot more sense now that Jackson is in the fold.