Sunday felt like an important game for many reasons. The Chicago Bears were 0-2, and almost no team has ever recovered from a 0-3 start to a season. They needed that win. On top of that, several players looked like they might be in danger of losing their starting jobs if they didn’t pick things up. One name at the front of that list was Braxton Jones. After a competitive training camp, the veteran had maintained control of the starting left tackle job. However, there were concerns about his health after returning from a season-ending ankle injury.
The first two games confirmed those fears, as Jones gave up a staggering 13 pressures on Caleb Williams. It was made worse because he seemed fine when the games started, but fell apart as they went on. According to Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune, the coaching staff planned to bench him against Dallas if those same problems persisted. Much to their relief, it never came to that. Jones started well and never fell off, playing a squeaky clean game with no pressures allowed.
He should be safe for the time being.
The Bears entered with a plan to monitor left tackle Braxton Jones closely and use Theo Benedet to relieve him for a few series.
Offensive line coach Dan Roushar didn’t spell out the plan when he spoke Thursday as much as he confirmed what a source said. As it turned out, Jones held up and Benedet was needed at right tackle when Darnell Wright missed some time with a right elbow injury that Ben Johnson said should not be serious. Jones played all 57 offensive snaps.
“It happened to be what it was,” he said. “I was feeling pretty good for most of the game.”
The coaches noticed that Jones’ play regressed as he got deeper into action in the first two weeks.
“Early it was functional and done well enough that we can have success,” Roushar said. “I thought at the end of both games, there was a diminish in his play. It’s something we’re thinking about and trying to keep him as fresh as we can to play like he starts the game and finish that way.”
Braxton Jones should be fine if he can regain his pre-injury form.
Some people don’t like to admit it, but the young tackle can be a good player when healthy. Yes, he has flaws. His anchor remains average at best. Still, his athleticism and intelligence allow him to be a competitive blocker who can do most of the things an offense requires. This was the first game where it felt like Braxton Jones was close to 100%. If that is the player they have for the rest of the season, the offense should be okay. Of course, playing against a terrible pass rush like Dallas probably helped. There will be much tougher tests in the coming weeks that should indicate whether Jones is truly back or not. Either way, this doesn’t solve the long-term problem. He is a free agent next year and the Bears don’t have the incentive to pay him. He has 14 games left to change that narrative.
Let’s see how he does versus the Raiders before labeling him comeback player of the year.
I’ve often been upset with Jones. But he played solid vs Dallas. Credit where it is due – the guy played winning ball.
Here’s your opening Thomas. You could cry about Braxton Jones
Vikes and Lions have very good pass rushes. Cowboys have nothing after Micah left. While Braxton may have played better, his ZERO pressures allowed were mostly due to lack of true Edge coming at him. But I hope Jones plays great the rest of the way to protect Caleb. Then we draft or sign a better replacement.
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