Chicago Bears 20 Most Important Players: #14 Braxton Jones

We continue our series profiling the 20 most important Chicago Bears players in 2023. Up next is left tackle Braxton Jones.

Training camp for the Chicago Bears inches closer to the beginning. We are now just over three weeks before the start. In the meantime, we continue profiling the 20 most important players for the team in 2023. You can see the previous names here.

At number 14 we have left tackle Braxton Jones. Jones burst onto the scene after the Bears drafted him in the fifth round of the 2022 draft. He was one of four offensive linemen that general manager Ryan Poles drafted that year.

Jones was trying to get settled in and earn a roster spot, not wanting to end up on the practice squad.

Well, he did more than that, impressing the coaches in OTAs and minicamp. He went from trying to find a position to becoming a starter. He replaced the presumed starter, Teven Jenkins.

When training camp started, Jones continued his good play. He held onto the starting spot when Week 1 rolled around. Not only did he keep his job throughout the season, but he was also the only offensive lineman to play every offensive snap in 2022.

While Jones was a revelation, he was also a rookie fifth-rounder who learned a lot through the fire. He had moments in which he was overwhelmed but he learned quickly and adjusted.

For example, Jones had to take on All-Pro defensive ace Nick Bosa in his first game. He struggled in the first half of the game. Surprisingly, Jones had a lot of one-on-one action with Bosa. There weren’t many double teams to help.

In the second half, however, things were different. Bosa was the one struggling to get to quarterback Justin Fields. Jones adjusted and did an excellent job of protecting Field’s blindside.

It continued throughout the season. No, he wasn’t an elite offensive lineman. However, with all the troubles concerning the unit, his play was not one of them. He was a solid protector.

One of the areas that Jones has to improve on is when a pass rusher bull-rushes him. There were times when he was knocked off balance. With an offseason of strength training and the experience gained from last season, he should improve a great deal and handle them better.

A dependable left tackle who protects a quarterback’s blindside is critical for any offense to succeed. That is why they are the highest-paid players on the line.

Jones’ play allowed Poles to look at improving other areas instead of focusing so much on the offensive line. He has the confidence in Jones that some don’t have.

There were those among NFL analysts who, despite Jones’ good play, do not think he was good enough to remain at left tackle. They suggested that Poles go after one of the top free-agent left tackles at the beginning of the new league year. Then Jones could move over to right tackle.

Doing that, however, would cost a pretty penny. That would’ve meant less money on other areas of need.

Instead, Poles and head coach Matt Eberflus had the confidence that Jones could improve even more and become an excellent left tackle. He resisted making the move that many expected. He opted to keep Jones where he is, sign guard Nate Davis, and draft Darnell Wright.

With Jenkins at left guard now, the Chicago Bears now have three young, athletic offensive linemen developing together. Davis and Cody Whitehair add veteran leadership to help them. They will grow together. Even Davis is still a young enough player to be a part of the group. The contract he signed was just his second one. He only has four seasons under his belt.

Jones has the ability to be a true leader for the offensive line. He took advantage of his opportunities and showed that the team can depend on him. With his improvement, Fields will also take a big step in his development.