Bears Bolster Offensive Line in Trade with LA

The Chicago Bears are set to acquire offensive lineman Jonah Jackson in a trade with the Los Angeles Rams, a league source confirmed on Tuesday. This marks a significant move to upgrade the interior of Chicago’s offensive line. The deal is expected to become official at the start of the league year on March 12, aligning perfectly with the NFL's calendar and kicking off what should be a busy offseason as the Bears look to build a strong supporting cast for last year’s first overall pick, Caleb Williams.

In an effort to bolster their offensive line, Bears general manager Ryan Poles made the decision to send a sixth-round pick to Los Angeles. In exchange, the Bears will take on the entirety of Jackson’s contract, a commitment that will extend through 2026. Notably, he is due to earn $17.5 million in 2025, which may be a hefty fee for someone who was injured for most of last season.

Jackson began his career as a third-round pick by the Detroit Lions in the 2020 NFL Draft, where he quickly made a name for himself. Over his initial years in the league, he established a solid reputation, starting in 57 games for Detroit from 2020 to 2023. His exceptional performance during the 2021 season earned him a selection to the Pro Bowl, highlighting his capabilities as a more-than-solid left guard. It should be noted that current Bears head coach Ben Johnson was instrumental in Jackson’s development during that Pro Bowl season, serving as the Lions’ passing game coordinator and later as their offensive coordinator for the subsequent two years. This existing familiarity between Johnson and Jackson played a role in his acquisition by the team.

While this move is a step in the right direction, the Bears still face pressing needs along the offensive line that they will need to address in both free agency and the upcoming draft. However, bringing in a veteran like Jackson not only adds depth but also injects much-needed experience into the offensive front. At any rate, this paints a clear picture of what Chicago is planning for this season, further emphasizing their commitment to aiding Caleb Williams as he enters his second year. While this is a positive move, Chicago will have to add more if they hope to compete next season. If this is any indication of what’s to come, I expect them to be aggressive in the coming weeks.