Bears LT Braxton Jones opens up about last season's benching

The Chicago Bears will once again have a battle at left tackle this offseason, which will feature some new and familiar faces, including veteran Braxton Jones, who re-signed with Chicago on a one-year deal. Jones, a former fifth-round pick, was a three-year starter for the Bears before only playing in four games in 2025. With Ozzy Trapilo expected to miss most of the 2026 season after rupturing his patellar tendon in the wild-card playoffs, Jones will have an opportunity to redeem himself after he was benched in favor of Theo Benedet in Week 4.

Jones was recovering from a fractured fibula suffered in late Dec. 2024, and it was clear that he wasn't 100 percent heading into the season. Still, he won the left tackle battle over Benedet and Trapilo during the summer.

Unfortunately, Jones struggled as he returned to the lineup, which resulted in his benching. Jones recently opened up about being benched last season, where he took the time to reflect on how it can be beneficial. "It was a big learning moment for me … just putting that chip back on my shoulder and also checking myself for where I was and what I need to be better at," Jones told ChicagoBears.

com . "Looking back at it now, I wouldn't say I'm happy about it. But I've learned a lot from it and I've grown from it and I've realized maybe that's something that needed to happen for me to boost my career again.