Jonah Jackson has played the vast majority of his NFL career as a left guard. That is where he made the Pro Bowl in 2021 and had the bulk of his success. When the Chicago Bears traded for him last week, the immediate assumption was he'd be the obvious replacement for a departing Teven Jenkins. However, things took an unexpected turn when the Bears also traded for Joe Thuney, a four-time All-Pro from Kansas City who has also played most of his career at left guard. That meant the team faced a dilemma. One of them would have to switch to right guard.
Head coach Ben Johnson answered that question on Wednesday when he stated that Thuney would remain at left guard and Jackson would move to the right side. When asked if this decision bothered him after what happened in L.A. with constant position switches, Jackson made it clear he wasn't at all worried. Unlike center, he has a history of starting games at right guard. In fact, his first experience was a memorable one.
Jonah Jackson proved he could play there.
His first two NFL games were starts at right guard against Chicago and Green Bay. He did well, allowing just two pressures in 81 pass-blocking snaps. He also had a solid run-blocking grade. The decision to move to left guard had nothing to do with his play. It was more because veteran Oday Aboushi felt more at home on the right side. It worked out. Jonah Jackson made the transition seamlessly. There is no reason to think he can't handle playing the right side. The combination of him and Darnell Wright could be formidable, and he knows it. If nothing else, it is nice to hear this level of self-confidence after what he went through in Los Angeles. If he can stay healthy, the entirety of the 2025 season could be a revenge tour for him.
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