The Chicago Bears didn’t just lose to the Detroit Lions on Sunday. They also likely lost their left tackle for the rest of the season. Braxton Jones had already battled back from a concussion this week to play. Sadly, his misfortune took a drastic nosedive when he appeared to suffer a nasty lower leg injury that forced him to get carted off. The initial diagnosis was an ankle injury of some kind. That would end his year but would allow him enough recovery time to be ready for 2025.
That projection now could be in danger. David J. Chao, a former NFL doctor, is renowned for his accurate injury assessments, which are based on video available each week. After reviewing the Jones footage, he came away with a far bleaker view. There is a chance the tackle ruptured the patella tendon in his left knee. If true, it could take 9-12 months for Jones to resume playing.
If this is true for Braxton Jones, it drastically alters the Bears’ plans.
Presuming he’d been healthy, there was a reasonable chance he would remain the starting left tackle next year as the team focused on revamping the entire interior of their offensive line. That plan is right out the window if Braxton Jones is out for possibly the next year. GM Ryan Poles, or whoever replaces him, must prioritize finding a replacement. Kiran Amegadjie is far from ready. Larry Borom will be a free agent. Whether it’s via free agency or the draft, the Bears cannot leave a void on Caleb Williams’ blind side going into a crucial second season. The timing couldn’t be worse. Initial projections suggest this incoming 2025 draft class isn’t strong at tackle, which means Chicago almost has no choice but to take one in the 1st round unless they find somebody capable on the veteran market. Just a brutal outcome for all parties.
Poles wanted to trade up to select WR Odunze, supposedly, but was talked out of it by Cunningham. Perhaps he should have tried to trade up at #5 for Alt or even #7 for Latham or Fashanu.
For the 2025 Draft, I have been pushing for Abdul Carter since late April. This year he has 10 sacks, but more saliently, he is a total football player and disrupter depending on how he is used. He should be a Steeler.
If Braxton broke his ankle, he may be “healed” in weeks but will always have weakness or problems with that foot. Draft an OT (Banks) and Guard, and sign Dalman (Center) in free agency.
@Krisanthony I sincerely hope that, whenever the person who you love the most dies, Braxton Jones gets to write their obituary.
@BearDownTX Yes, improve the line, but with regard to Banks, you do have to consider his physical traits. If in fact he is slower footed and has shorter arms, those are things that have led to NFL failure too many times to ignore. SEC production is great, but rosters around the league are littered with underperformng to straight up bad offensive lineman that were drafted in the first round after years of great production in college. That aside, Braxton Jones graded out this year as a top-20 tackle out of 130+ who have received grades. So even if Banks overcomes… Read more »
@TGena: I agree with @Arnie, with a few additions. Playmakers on offense: Caleb, Moore, Allen, Odunze, Kmet. Playmakers on defense: Sweat, maybe Dexter, Edwards, Stevenson, Gordon, Jaylon Jackson. Kmet and Jackson were resigned on decent contracts. Importantly, note that Poles started out in salary cap hell, and has put the Bears in salary cap heaven. If you don’t think that managing the cap is an important part of the GM’s job, well, then there’s no point in arguing with you because you’re struggling to learn checkers while others here are playing chess. Now the Bears are in position to use… Read more »