The Chicago Bears are viewed as potential buyers for the upcoming trade deadline after rebounding to 4-2. They feel like a team that could be a playoff contender if they get some help in the right places. However, some insiders believe the Bears could also be sellers. The name going around is Braxton Jones. Left tackles of his age, experience, and athleticism are rarely available. He should be healthy now from the injury that hobbled him last month. It isn't crazy to think teams would be interested.
Jeremy Fowler of ESPN became the latest to confirm this. He reached out to several people. All agree the winds are favorable for Jones to be traded. Despite his struggles this season, he can still be a decent starter. Three teams were mentioned as possible landing spots.
Braxton Jones, OT, Chicago Bears
The buzz: Rival teams agree that Jones is a sensible trade candidate after his benching in favor of Theo Benedet and his résumé as a multiyear starter in Chicago. Jones also is in a contract year, and he is now healthy following an ankle issue that plagued him for much of 2025. -- FowlerThe tape: Jones is an easy mover on the edges with the footspeed to redirect in pass protection. While Jones can struggle with power rushers, he still grades out as a lower-tier starter. In six games played this season, Jones has a pass block win rate of 90.2%. -- Bowen
Predicted chance of getting traded: 25%
Team fits: Las Vegas Raiders, Los Angeles Rams, Los Angeles Chargers
The Raiders lost left tackle Kolton Miller to an injury against the Bears a few weeks ago. Ironically, that was the same game in which Jones got benched. The same was true of the Chargers, who lost Pro Bowler Rashawn Slater for the season. The Rams typically prefer athletic tackles, so their interest is understandable as well.
Braxton Jones will likely fetch a late round pick.
Typical trades of this type hover around a 6th rounder. No team will give up anything higher knowing it's likely that Braxton Jones will leave in free agency next offseason. A 6th is the going rate for rental players. Maybe the Bears can push that to a 5th if they package Jones with a 6th or 7th. If we're talking about which team is the most desperate, the one to watch is probably the Chargers. They are 26th in pass-blocking efficiency this year. Austin Deculus, who has taken over at left tackle for Slater, has allowed 16 pressures and four sacks in his three starts. It is hard to imagine Jones can't do better than that. Chicago and L.A. have also done business recently. They worked out the trade for Keenan Allen last year. Either way, it feels like the Bears have a market for Jones' services.
