The Chicago Bears’ offensive line requires a total makeover in the middle as Ryan Poles aims to substitute both starting guards and the starting center.
Desperate situations require desperate actions, such as swapping for another team’s costly, free agent failure.
Trading a sixth-round pick to the Los Angeles Rams for Jonah Jackson isn’t a move that generates much confidence for the Bears.
He inked a three-year, $51 million deal with the Rams last offseason and had difficulties in the four games he participated in this year.
Jonah Jackson was selected for the Pro Bowl in 2021, being a versatile interior offensive lineman who has played all three positions. This clearly illustrates Ben Johnson’s impact on personnel by bringing in a player who thrived alongside him in Detroit. The Bears are trading the 6th round pick they got for Justin Fields.
Jackson sustained a shoulder injury in Week 2, and upon returning from injured reserve, he was sidelined because of subpar performance.
Los Angeles owed him more than $17 million this year and sought to avoid any association with him. Here come the Bears to relieve them of his presence.
The expectation is that Jackson can regain a higher standard of performance, similar to what he exhibited during his first four years in Detroit with Ben Johnson.
That’s a costly risk for the Poles, who could have utilized that entire salary cap space to secure a free agent of potentially superior quality without needing to trade a late-round pick.
Jonah Jackson is excessively compensated and highly overrated, yet the Bears require three new offensive line starters.
There is likely lower risk in trading for a player you are familiar with and trust rather than signing an unknown free agent you haven’t collaborated with previously.
The positive aspect is that Jackson’s contract secures him funds only for 2025, allowing Chicago to release him after one season with little effect on the salary cap.
However, the Bears are in a tough situation and still have to locate two additional starters for the offensive line’s interior.
By securing Jackson in the left guard position before free agency, Poles reduces one variable he needs to manage and has less urgency to sign three new starters during free agency.
It’s not the action that numerous Bears fans anticipated, but it’s the initial step in enhancing the role vital to Caleb Williams’ success in 2025.