The Los Angeles Rams are trading veteran offensive lineman Jonah Jackson to the Chicago Bears in exchange for a 2025 sixth-round pick. While the trade cannot be officially processed until March 12, it is essentially finalized. The Bears will take on Jackson’s existing contract, which includes a fully guaranteed $8.5 million roster bonus for 2025 and a $9 million base salary. However, his $17 million total for next season is not guaranteed. The Rams paid him $16.5 million for the 2024 season.
The Rams are finalizing a deal to trade veteran offensive lineman Jonah Jackson to the Chicago Bears for a 2025 sixth-round pick. pic.twitter.com/gUhV82zyk4
— BFR Podcast (@bfr_pod) March 4, 2025
Here are five key things to know about the Bears newest offensive lineman:
1. Jonah Jackson is well-respected around the league
Jackson has built a strong reputation around the NFL. Respected offensive line evaluator Brandon Thorn ranked him as the sixth-best guard entering last season, placing him in Tier 2 at left guard—one tier above Teven Jenkins.
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I talked about this possibility with a couple different people at the combine. Makes a lot of sense. Need + familiarity + Jackson at LG has real upside. Just turned 28. https://t.co/QU7UiHXun9
— Brandon Thorn (@BrandonThornNFL) March 4, 2025
2. Jackson comes with a significant price tag
While the Bears only gave up a sixth-round pick, they are committing to paying Jackson $17 million in 2025. That’s a hefty price for a player who only appeared in four games last season. His ability to stay healthy will be a major factor, especially given past durability concerns with former Bears left guard Teven Jenkins.
Great value. But the job's not finished. https://t.co/KvYbNkptQL
— Dave (@dave_bfr) March 4, 2025
3. How Jackson grades out on PFF
Here are Jackson’s pass-blocking grades from Pro Football Focus over the past five seasons:
2024: 59.5 (T-61st)
2023: 60.7 (41st)
2022: 53.0 (63rd)
2021: 56.4 (56th) Pro Bowl season
2020: 51.2 (71st)
4. He has history with Ben Johnson
Jackson reunites with offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, who likely played a key role in bringing him to Chicago. It appears Bears GM Ryan Poles is putting trust in his new head coach. Jackson made the Pro Bowl in 2021 while playing under Johnson. In 2022, he didn’t allow a single sack on 494 pass-blocking snaps. In 2023, he allowed just two sacks on 432 snaps. Johnson likely wanted Jackson in Chicago, and if he performs well, he could be a long-term piece for the Bears’ offensive line.
5. This fills a major need before free agency
Left guard was a pressing need for Chicago, and with limited quality options in free agency, this move helps solidify the offensive line. However, this doesn’t prevent the Bears from drafting a young lineman to develop behind Jackson come April.
Let’s just agree that in the NFL, the GM is responsible (and he’s also, accountable) for EVERY decision relating to personnel — whether good or bad.
Some of you used to blame: Ted Phillips, then George McCaskey, Matt Eberflus, Luke Getsy, etc.
Now, it’s HC Ben? Dan Roushar?
Ryan Poles is “da man” — for better or for worse — he’s the Bears GM. Let’s just agree, the buck stops at his desk.
And, remember:
“Time discovers truth.” — Seneca
No, you idiots, we don’t already have TJ. He is a FA and we would have to bid for his services. We might yet do this but there is no guarantee that we would outbid teams like the ‘Fins who desperately need an OG. We simply cannot outbid every team for every available player. You have to get who you can when you can and then DRAFT BETTER. A 6th rounder at any position would have trouble making this team so this is a decent move at this time.
I’ve never seen so many negative people in my life. I do understand that Poles track record for trading/picking up offensive linemen is bad, but if we feel that Ben Johnson is behind this with input from his O-line coach, then just let it play out. For those defending Jenkins, I know he tries hard, but was in and out of almost every game he suited up for and the disruption of the line shifting guys all the time is part of the reason they were so bad last year. If this was Poles on his own, I would not… Read more »
f you read this “RamsWire” article entitled, “Salary cap impact of trading Jonah Jackson to Bears” in a very quiet room — you may be able to hear Rams GM Les Snead, snickering at first; then full out laughing his ass off! “Less than a year after signing Jonah Jackson to a $51 million contract, the Los Angeles Rams are moving on from the veteran lineman. News broke on Tuesday that the team is trading Jackson to the Chicago Bears in exchange for a sixth-round pick in the 2025 draft. Jackson dealt with shoulder injuries and a benching in 2024,… Read more »
@Rocketrider J Jackson is not rated higher than T Jenkins per PFF. T Jenkins has ranked in the top 15 at his position every season he has been in the league. And his stats for 2024 are better than Trey Smiths and to be honest, J Jackson carries the injury stigma as Jenkins, so please explain to how this is such a massive upgrade and considering the salary of Jackson is considered to be the floor for Jenkins?