The Chicago Bears have been open about the team's open spot at the left tackle position, and veteran tackle Braxton Jones is ready to seize his opportunity to claim the starting role.
The Bears have been loud and clear about the team’s left tackle position being open going into the 2026 NFL season.
Head coach Ben Johnson has openly talked about where the team stands at left tackle. So has offensive line coach Dan Roushar. Even free agent acquisition Jedrick Wills discussed the opportunity to earn himself a starting role.
During the NFL’s annual league meeting, Johnson praised Braxton Jones for his physical appearance, saying he “beefed up … and looked yoked up” when the left tackle came in to re-sign his one-year contract with the Bears during free agency.
Jones joined former five-time Pro Bowl left tackle Terron Armstead on his YouTube show “The Set,” and discussed a variety of topics.
The Bears’ offensive lineman recognizes he has a prime opportunity to earn himself a role on Johnson’s roster this season. He also told Armstead that he understands “what’s at stake,” but knew Chicago was the best fit because he knows the system.
Part of the familiarity is knowing Roushar. The Bears’ offensive line coach also joined Armstead’s show, and when talking about Jones, Ozzy Trapilo and Theo Benedet, he didn’t hold back about Chicago’s left tackle position.
“I told all three of them this, I know what the left tackle position looks like in this league,” Roushar said on Armstead’s podcast. “You were the standard. That’s a rare player that comes along, but somebody has to play that position similar to that. It’s a faceless, nameless guy right now. It has to become the way we play the game at left tackle similar to what’s being done at right tackle. Is that player in the building? I think there’s guys that have traits, but not consistent enough and not the way we want it done consistently.”
Roushar speaks his mind regardless of whether his candidness hurts someone’s feelings, but Jones appreciates that mindset. While Jones was injured during the season, Roushar continued to work with him in a variety of ways.
“So, I’m just blessed I have coaches that believe in me and it will be better to see being a little bit more healthy what I look like and to do the things they want to see,” Jones said. “Which is most important and I’m just blessed to have somebody that cares enough to be on me about it and tell me when it isn’t good and it’s good. …”
Since Jones was drafted in the fifth round out of Southern Utah, he has started 44 games for the Bears. He made all 17 starts in his rookie season, but injuries have impacted his playing time over the last few years. He started the season in 2025 but was benched during the Week 4 matchup against the Raiders, and he didn’t play another offensive snap. A knee injury in Week 7 officially ended his fourth NFL season.
But Jones is ready to compete for the starting left tackle job. Over the offseason, Jones has been working with Armstead and renowned private offensive line coach Duke Manyweather to prepare for the 2026 season.
When Armstead directly asked Jones if he is the answer at left tackle, Jones made a definitive statement.
“Yes sir,” Jones said. “Yeah, no, for sure. I mean I think the biggest thing too in my realization is actually knowing what Ben and Dan are looking for too, so I think that is huge for myself, and that’s why I’m very blessed just for last year and just how it kind of went and to learn and really watch and sit back, look at what he is looking for and his minor details and that’s just the both of them. I’m blessed to be back in the position that I am. Definitely trying to be the frontrunner for that. …”
The Bears have been clear that the left position is up for grabs, and the organization understands how important it is, as it directly affects Caleb Williams and Chicago’s rushing attack.
Jones will have to compete with Wills, Benedet and potentially a 2026 rookie, but Jones is embracing that challenge. And Armstead is looking forward to seeing what Jones can do with this latest opportunity.
“I can’t wait to see you play football again …,” Armstead said. “I’m excited to watch. I know this will be the best version of you we’ve ever seen. And that’s all we’re asking for. I just want to see the best version of you. I don’t want you to be me, be Darnell [Wright], or the next guy. The best Braxton Jones is a bad mother…”