Braxton Jones is aware that he must elevate his game to demonstrate that he can be the Chicago Bears' long-term left tackle.
Amidst the looming uncertainty surrounding the Chicago Bears, particularly regarding quarterback Justin Fields and head coach Matt Eberflus, another significant concern seems to have slipped under the radar.
Braxton Jones, in his second year as a left tackle, entered the season with the mission to prove himself as the franchise left tackle to General Manager Ryan Poles and Coach Eberflus. The Bears had drafted right tackle Darnell Wright in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft, partly due to their confidence in Jones' potential.
Jones had spent the offseason focusing on building strength to handle the bullrush effectively. His rookie season taught him that NFL success depended on preparation as much as execution.
Confident that his intense offseason work would pay off, Jones entered training camp with the goal of securing his position as the Bears' franchise blindside protector. However, things didn't go as planned.
A neck injury in Week 2 sidelined Jones for six games and robbed him of valuable time to hone his skills. Although he returned in Week 9, his performance has been inconsistent. Jones acknowledges that he hasn't achieved what he set out to do at the beginning of the season.
Jones' future as the Bears' left tackle remains uncertain, with his performance fluctuating this season. Pro Football Focus statistics show that Jones has allowed 25 pressures, tied for 22nd among tackles with at least 300 pass-blocking snaps. While he has allowed only one sack, ranking third in that category, his efficiency is ranked 48th out of 63, measuring pressures allowed on a per-snap basis.
Jones admits that since returning from his injury, his pass protection hasn't been up to par. In a critical matchup against the Cleveland Browns, where he allowed eight pressures and was outperformed by Myles Garrett, the gap between an average left tackle and a franchise player became evident.
The Bears' coaching staff and teammates have recognized Jones' growth in his second year, both on and off the field. However, with the Bears poised to have two top-10 picks in the 2024 NFL Draft, Jones is running out of time to prove himself as the team's future left tackle.
The Bears have the opportunity to select a top-tier left tackle early in the draft, making it unclear whether Jones will retain the starting position or become a swing tackle. An NFC scout suggested that Jones has the potential to be a good pro tackle but questioned whether he could become an upper-tier starter.
Jones entered the 2023 season with high expectations, but his neck injury disrupted his progress, potentially affecting the Bears' offseason plans. Despite the setbacks, Jones is determined to improve his pass protection and regain his confidence.
In evaluating Jones' performance, the Bears will consider what he has done on the field. The best-case scenario was to exit the season with a clear understanding of Fields' potential as a franchise quarterback and Jones' ability to be an elite left tackle. Injuries and inconsistency may complicate Poles' offseason decisions.
Jones has three games left to make a compelling case to Poles and his staff, aiming to demonstrate that he can be the cornerstone left tackle the Bears need.
"I know what it's supposed to look like, and I know what it can look like," Jones said, emphasizing his commitment to improvement.
| POLL | ||
23 DECEMBRE | 1 ANSWERS Braxton Jones is aware that he must elevate his game to demonstrate that he can be the Chicago Bears' long-term left tackle. Is Braxton Jones the franchise LT for the Bears? | ||
| Yes | 0 | 0 % |
| No | 0 | 0 % |
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