Trading for Jonah Jackson was an easy decision from the Chicago Bears’ perspective. They need proven help along the interior of their offensive line. Jackson was a former Pro Bowler whom head coach Ben Johnson knew well from their time together in Detroit. He didn’t care what happened in Los Angeles. Johnson felt the Bears were getting a proven player who would be great for their blocking. Most felt that would be the extent of the move since Jackson had already been under contract for another two years.
As it turns out, there was a twist in the story. Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reported that the Bears would give the 28-year-old a one-year contract extension, putting him on the books through the 2027 season. It might seem like an odd move after his setback-laden 2024 season. However, the move reveals what the organization has planned. Keep in mind that each of their big moves to this point has followed the same path.
- Center Drew Dalman? Three-year deal.
- Defensive tackle Grady Jarrett? Three-year deal.
- Defensive Dayo Odeyingbo? Three-year deal.
It is apparent the Bears are lining these contracts up to follow the length of Caleb Williams’ rookie deal. That means all of them will come off the books right when the young quarterback will be in line for his own extension. A smart piece of money management by the organization.
Jonah Jackson likely isn’t the only step.
If he’s getting an extension, it is a fair assumption that Joe Thuney also has one coming. The former All-Pro was already due for a new deal from Kansas City before this season. They couldn’t afford it after they franchise-tagged Trey Smith. Presuming the Bears keep using the same approach, Thuney should be getting a two-year extension in the near future. That would also line him up with Williams’ rookie deal. The thinking is obvious. This way, the Bears can maintain some continuity along the offensive line while also ensuring their salary cap has maximum flexibility. Smart teams operate this way. It is safe to assume the Bears will be proactive in drafting young talent along the offensive line to develop behind Jonah Jackson and the others. They must prepare to stockpile cheap contracts for when Williams’ bill comes due.
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I cannot say I’m keen on extending Jackson when he only played 4 games last year. It seems risky to me. But so do the Garrett, Zaccheas, and Dalman signings, to lesser degree. These are all guys with previous injury, or performance issues. Still, these are obviously guys that Coach Johnson wanted. So I’ll just hope for the best. If they all work out we should be set for two, possibly three years of contention. If not, well, we stank last year anyway so it’s basically just a wash in the end. We had to try something to improve. But… Read more »
Looks like Poles is already preparing to decline Caleb’s 5th year option and start the rebuild over again. Why not just start now while you could still trade him for more than a 6th?
Poles seems to have set the IOL up with old (Thuney), medium (Jackson), and kinda young (Dalman). That way, rookies can be introduced to the OL every couple of years as players age out/retire/lose a step. Kind of like the WRs with Keenan, DJ, Rome. Now that Keenan is (likely) done (at least with the Bears), they signed someone younger (Oz), but Rome is still the young guy. In a few years, they can draft another rookie WR to replace DJ as he ages out. Continuity, and managing cost effectively by having an infusion of rookie contracts every year.
This plan is so complicated that I should have stayed in Advanced Calculus (II) in high school rather than play sports, be politically active, socialize, and eat my GFs’ lunches everyday with muffins and cookies often laced with cannabis and other mysteries. Practices were amusing. I was so much older then, I’m younger than that now.
Poles will be hitting the trenches hard for replacements to step in on rookie deals if Caleb proves to be worthy of a massive pay day in 3 years. Hopefully these are the steps to long term success