When discussing the biggest surprises of the 2022 off-season, there are plenty. The Chicago Bears trading Khalil Mack was one. GM Ryan Poles not drafting a wide receiver with either of his first two picks was another. Yet everything pales in comparison to what’s happening on the offensive line. It isn’t Teven Jenkins moving inside to guard or Larry Borom beating out Riley Reiff at right tackle. It is Braxton Jones claiming the left tackle spot.
Nothing about the situation makes logical sense. Jones was drafted in the 5th round by Chicago last April. He came from a smaller program at Southern Utah that went 1-10 the previous year. Many even felt his 2020 season was better than his 2021. A strong Senior Bowl week did help his stock, but it wasn’t anything special. It was enough confirmation to the Bears that he had the kind of ability they wanted. Poles was excited to get him.
Yet not even he imagined how rapidly the rookie would ascend.
Don’t forget that Poles is a former offensive lineman himself. He has a trained eye for those positions. Even him getting caught by surprise is a testament to how much work Jones has put in. It becomes apparent right away the rookie is smart. He’s well-spoken and has a clear understanding of his job. Then there is the big body, long arms, and athletic feet. Everything started falling into place during OTAs.
Coaches saw how he performed in drills, so they gave him a chance to run with the first-team offense. He hasn’t given up the starting spot since. His preseason performance was even further validation of the decision. While it wasn’t perfect, he went toe-to-toe with some talented pass rushers, including former Pro Bowler Frank Clark, and didn’t flinch. People need to understand such things aren’t normal for 5th round rookies.
Subscribe to the BFR Youtube channel and ride shotgun with Dave and Ficky as they break down Bears football like nobody else.
Ryan Poles’ remaking of the offensive line room is fascinating.
Right now, two new faces will be in the starting mix: Jones and Lucas Patrick. It is in the depth where the real changes show up. Seventh round pick Ja’Tyre Carter is a primary backup at guard, while recent waiver acquisition Alex Leatherwood, a former 1st round pick from last season, joins the mix from Las Vegas. There is a ton of youth and upside in this group. Not to mention lots of athleticism.
It’s amazing to think Jones is the one leading that charge. If things break the Bears’ way, there is a chance they may have their starting offensive line of the future set if Jenkins, Borom, and Leatherwood flourish. Ryan Poles has to feel good about their situation. As confident as he is in his plan, there is no way he envisioned Jones being the franchise left tackle for the Bears back in April. He merely saw a talented athlete that could be developed into something more.
That it is happening this fast is more luck than anything.
This offers hope for the Bears’ future. If Poles could piece together a draft class this encouraging without the aide of a 1st round pick, there is no telling what he might accomplish in the next couple of off-seasons.
Bottom Line: T Jenkins will maul at RG and with L Borom at RT, the right is going to be pretty hard to handle…but with Braxton Jones already finding instant success against some very good DEs like F Clark, the left side is looking to be a massive stonewall of pass protection with Jones and C Whitehair…now if only Poles made the right decision at C with L Patrick, this OL will be respectable and dominant in short order and J Fields will play with some of the best protection in the NFL in 2022-23.
Hes looked good so far but lets see what happens in the real games.
I find it funny and encouraging that the worst play of the preseason for offense was because Teven was not in at guard yet.
Sam K very true could be another reason the holding wasn’t called. I agree he did well. I just meant they could’ve pick a better video, but they were talking about Frank Clark and he didn’t play long. So maybe that was the best video.
You’re right Lambert, Braxton Jones has done good things that “aren’t normal for 5th round rookies.”
But, it’s not much different than what Larry Borom did during the entire 2021 season.
Braxton and Larry are on the same team. They are not adversaries. I want both to succeed.
But, let’s let Braxton block someone in an actual NFL game that counts before we fit him for an NFL Hall of Fame gold jacket.
Or, is that too much to ask?