The Chicago Bears delivered one of the NFL‘s most unexpected performances during the 2025 season, finishing with an 11-6 record and securing the NFC North title behind the dynamic duo of Caleb Williams and Ben Johnson. Fans in the Windy City are energized by the team’s progress under first-year head coach Johnson, but the front office led by Ryan Poles faces growing pressure to elevate the team further toward Super Bowl contention.
Offensive Line Remains a Priority Amid Injury Concerns
Strengthening the offensive line is a critical focus for the Bears as they prepare for the 2026 campaign. Last offseason saw important additions including Joe Thuney, Drew Dalman, Jonah Jackson, and rookie Ozzy Trapilo, who helped solidify the trenches. However, Trapilo’s availability for next season remains uncertain as he continues to recover from a ruptured patellar tendon sustained during Chicago’s wild-card victory over the Green Bay Packers. This injury casts doubt over the team’s depth at a key position.
Fortunately, the Bears will benefit from a $22 million increase in the NFL salary cap for 2026, providing financial flexibility that could help stabilize the offensive line until Trapilo’s return.
Increased Cap Space Could Facilitate Retaining Braxton Jones
Braxton Jones remains a debated figure among Bears supporters due to his inconsistent performances last season. Despite mixed opinions on his contributions, the current financial situation makes retaining him a viable option. As of now, Chicago is slightly over the salary cap by approximately $6 million, making it difficult to pursue big-ticket signings but opening the door to cost-effective solutions.
Re-signing Jones to a modest one-year deal could bring valuable veteran depth and continuity to the offensive line, helping to protect quarterback Caleb Williams. This stability is especially important given the Bears’ history of conceding a franchise-record 68 sacks during Williams’ rookie year.
Spotrac projects Jones’ market value around $4.8 million, a figure that Poles and the front office may find manageable within their expanded cap space. While bringing back Jones is not a perfect fix for Chicago’s offensive line challenges, it represents a sensible stopgap compared to other more expensive or unproven alternatives.
Maintaining Offensive Line Depth Key for Team’s Future Success
With Trapilo’s recovery timeline still unclear, the Bears must ensure their offensive line depth remains intact to support their rising star quarterback Caleb Williams. Retaining Braxton Jones could provide the team with a crucial bridge until full strength is restored. This move would demonstrate Chicago’s commitment to protecting their offense while working toward sustained success.
As Ryan Poles and the Bears’ decision-makers evaluate roster priorities in the coming weeks, the use of increased salary cap space to reinforce the offensive line could be a decisive step in keeping the Bears competitive and moving closer to a Super Bowl appearance.
The NFL has informed its clubs in a memo that the salary cap number for the 2026 season is $301.2 million per club, up $22 million. pic.twitter.com/bwx9IFulyt
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) February 27, 2026
