Chicago Bears left tackle’s immediate reaction to landing starting nod

Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson knows how important protecting quarterback Caleb Williams’ blindside is. The franchise had a competition featuring upwards of four contenders throughout training camp for the starting nod.

In the end, Braxton Jones came out on top. The Bears re-signed him to a one-year contract over the offseason after Ozzy Trapilo’s injury. While injuries have cast a dark cloud over his career, Jones has shown flashes of brilliance as well. During the 2024 campaign, his 77.4 grade from Pro Football Focus ranked 20th overall.

Overall, Jones has appeared in 46 games for the Bears, starting 44 of them. Johnson only had the tackle for six games during his first year at head coach. But he made a strong enough impression then and throughout training camp to regain his starting spot.

Jones will need to consistently prove he deserve the starting job, as Johnson has shown he isn’t afraid to make changes. Still, the left tackle had quite the journey back to atop the depth chart.

Braxton Jones’ emotional return to Chicago Bears

The offensive lineman only played six games in 2025 due to a knee injury and poor performance. Ultimately, Trapilo would take the starting job. Jones’ future in Chicago looked bleak to put it lightly.

But he never took his foot off the gas. Jones worked to get healthy and refine his technique. Now he’s in a position to make a key impact on the Bears, via Natalie Spala of NBC Chicago.

“I’m incredibly proud of myself for fighting back,” Jones said. “That’s a great accomplishment, not a lot of fifth-rounders get to do that. I’m going to try and continue to seize that moment and do the work that nobody is watching me do. I think everything will take care of itself.”

Really like this bite from Braxton Jones yesterday after we learned he will be the #Bears starting LT on Sunday in Carolina.

It shouldn’t get lost that this fifth-round draft pick will be making his fifth straight opening start.

“I’m incredibly proud of myself,” he said pic.twitter.com/xS9wyQaLz3

— Natalie Spala (@_nataliespala) September 9, 2026

When Trapilo is fully cleared from injury, the question of who starts at left tackle will rise again. But Jones is focused on what he can control and maintaining his position at left tackle.

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