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Jones, who was selected by the Bears in the fifth round of the 2022 NFL Draft, enters his fifth season with the organization. He recently signed a one-year contract extension valued at $5 million after previously recording 44 starts at the position. His path to the starting role this summer involved overcoming a knee injury that sidelined him for over a week of training camp, though he regained his status as the frontrunner by mid-August.
Competition and long-term outlook
The battle for the left tackle spot began on July 29, featuring a rotation that included Kiran Amegadjie and Jedrick Wills Jr. Both players were released by the team on August 30, leaving Theo Benedet as the primary swing tackle behind Jones. Despite naming Jones the starter for the opening week, head coach
Johnson noted that the team’s philosophy requires players to consistently earn their roles throughout the season. He indicated that the offensive line, much like the wide receiver corps, will be assessed on a weekly basis to ensure that the most deserving players are active on game day. This approach reflects a broader competitive environment within the organization where starting roles are not guaranteed long-term.
Status of Ozzy Trapilo and injury updates
The team continues to monitor the progress of Ozzy Trapilo, who started six games during his rookie campaign last year. Trapilo has been working his way back from a patellar tendon injury suffered during the playoffs and was activated from the physically unable to perform (PUP) list on August 16. While he did not participate in 11-on-11 drills or preseason games, Johnson praised his recovery efforts and noted that he is receiving valuable individual work.
In other roster news, wide receiver Rome Odunze missed his second consecutive practice due to an undisclosed injury. The team currently lists him as day-to-day and remains optimistic about his availability for the trip to Carolina. Johnson clarified that the current issue is unrelated to the foot fracture Odunze sustained during the 2025 season.
