Sports Illustrated Crowns the Most Undervalued Chicago Bears' Player
In 2023, the Chicago Bears are looking to several fresh talents to take their performance up a notch. New inclusions like Tremaine Edmunds, D.J. Moore, T.J. Edwards, Darnell Wright, and Gervon Dexter are anticipated to make substantial contributions. Yet, the Bears are also banking on existing players to up their game. Stars like Justin Fields, Chase Claypool, Trevis Gipson, Kyler Gordon, and Jaquan Brisker are certainly on the radar, but there are a few more who might make a big splash.
Connor Orr, a Sports Illustrated columnist, recently pinpointed the most underappreciated talent from every team for the upcoming season. His choice for the Bears might not be the first name that pops in your head, but it's one that makes a lot of sense once you think about it.
He commented, "BRAXTON JONES IS PROBABLY THE CHOICE, SIMPLY BECAUSE HE WAS A ROOKIE FIFTH-ROUND PICK WHO ANCHORED A YOUNG QUARTERBACK'S BLIND SIDE COMFORTABLY LIKE A SEASONED PROFESSIONAL, AND IF YOU'D LIKE ME TO LIST ONE PERSON, JONES CAN SERVE AS ONE. BUT THERE'S A MAJOR POINT TO BE MADE ABOUT COACHING AND UP-FRONT COHESION THAT I THINK IS WORTH MAKING. THE BEARS WERE 31ST IN EXPECTED POINTS ADDED WHEN EXECUTING A STRAIGHT-UP DROP-BACK PLAY IN 2022 (THANKS, SPORTS INFO SOLUTIONS). JUSTIN FIELDS WAS PHENOMENAL LAST YEAR, BUT NOT IN A CONVENTIONAL SENSE, WHICH PUTS A LOT OF PRESSURE ON EVERYONE ELSE TO EXECUTE IN A NONTRADITIONAL WAY. THE BEARS DID IT THROUGH POWERFUL GAP RUNS AND MOTION-HEAVY CONCEPTS THAT DEMAND A LOT OUT OF THEIR PLAYERS.»
The Bears' offensive future seems deeply interwoven with Jones this year. GM Ryan Poles chose to invest in a first-round right tackle because he saw immense potential in Jones, the previous year's fifth-round pick. Despite the ups and downs, Jones proved his worth last season.
The Bears are aware that Jones is just a step away from becoming a standout player. Last season demonstrated his formidable run-blocking prowess, making him one of the team's top run blockers by the year's end � a remarkable feat for a rookie drafted in the middle rounds. His blend of size, agility, and aggressive playing style regularly created opportunities for Fields, Khalil Herbert, and David Montgomery. However, his pass protection needs some polishing, specifically against stunts and bull rushes.
These challenges are common among rookies. The critical question is whether Jones can utilize this off-season to iron out these kinks. Early indications are positive, with Jones investing ample time training with Bears' legend Olin Kreutz. If anyone can show him how to tackle the best the NFL can throw at him, it's Kreutz. Having Jones as a consistent presence on the left side could be a game-changer for the Bears. It's tough finding good left tackles, and snagging one in the fifth round is rarer still. Jones's rise could be a complete game changer.
| POLL | ||
24 JUIN | 35 ANSWERS Sports Illustrated Crowns the Most Undervalued Chicago Bears' Player WIll the Bears make the playoffs? | ||
| Yes | 24 | 68.6 % |
| No | 11 | 31.4 % |
| List of polls | ||
