The Chicago Bears have started the process of narrowing their roster down to 53 players, where there are plenty of important decisions on the horizon as they fill out depth at certain position groups.
One of the biggest remaining questions for the Bears is at starting left tackle, where there’s been a battle between three-year starter Braxton Jones, rookie Ozzy Trapilo and Theo Benedet. With Trapilo positioned to be the swing tackle (as he’s recently gotten work at right tackle), it likely comes down to Jones and Benedet.
The Chicago media presume Jones will be named the starting left tackle to start the season. But head coach Ben Johnson has made it clear they won’t hesitate to go in a different direction should struggles follow.
So it’s certainly interesting that ESPN’s Bill Barnwell proposed this trade for the Bears: Trade Jones to the Los Angeles Rams in exchange for cornerback Derion Kendrick and a 2026 sixth-round pick.
If Jones isn’t in the long-term plans for the Bears, they might want to move him now. He will be a free agent after the season, and while they theoretically could recoup a compensatory draft pick for him in free agency, general manager Ryan Poles typically has prioritized adding talent over maximizing comp picks during his time in charge. Landing a cornerback in Kendrick, who started 18 games over his first two years in Los Angeles before missing all of 2024 with a knee injury, would give a Chicago defense without much depth at the position a potentially useful contributor as it shifts toward more aggressive coverage looks under coordinator Dennis Allen.
Jones is entering the final year of his rookie deal, and it’s unclear whether the team would want to bring him back next year (especially if they dedicate resources to finding their left tackle of the future). But would they consider that move if it leaves quarterback Caleb Williams’ blindside vulnerable with two inexperienced options in Trapilo and Benedet? Unlikely.
While the Bears are banged up at cornerback with Jaylon Johnson and Kyler Gordon (who are both expected back for Week 1) and Terell Smith lost to a season-ending knee injury, cornerback isn’t as dire a need as left tackle right now.
Jones might not be the long-term answer at left tackle for Chicago, but he might be the best stopgap option until the Bears find a way to address the biggest hole on offense.
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