The Chicago Bears have plenty of roster questions to sort out and less than two months to do so. By far the most important for Ben Johnson and the coaching staff is the situation at left tackle. For the past three years, Braxton Jones held that job. However, a broken leg last season threw plans into turmoil. Estimates said Jones wouldn’t be ready for the start of training camp. That meant former 3rd round pick Kiran Amegadjie and 2nd round rookie Ozzy Trapilo would be battling to gain the early advantage.
GM Ryan Poles changed things with an announcement on Tuesday, the team’s report date. Team doctors declared Jones healthy, and he is ready to go to camp. That changes the entire complexion of the competition.
It will be a competition, mind you. Johnson made that clear during his talk with the press. All three players have a clean slate. That means the left tackle job is up for grabs. Nobody has the lead. Once the pads go on, it is a race to see who makes the best impression.
Braxton Jones is making his last stand.
The former 5th round pick was a solid starter since arriving in 2022. However, circumstances have changed. Most of the regime that drafted him is gone. An entirely new coaching staff is running the show, and they likely have certain expectations for the left tackle position. Nobody disputes Braxton Jones as an athlete. They’ve wondered about his overall lack of power and now his durability. Having to combat not one but two challengers to his throne should leave zero doubts about whether Jones is worthy of the position. If he still manages to hold it when the dust settles in September, it will be a massive nod of approval from a highly competent staff. If he doesn’t, then his run in Chicago is likely over.
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