Will Braxton Jones be used as trade bait?

Veteran left tackle Braxton Jones, coming off rehab after fibula surgery, may be a trade piece close to the start of the 2025 season opener. That all depends on how 2nd round rookie Ozzy Trapilo and/or 2nd year tackle Kiran Amegadje look during training camp.

Jones will be a free agent after this season, and, it fully recovered will certainly command a salary in the range of $20 million per season. It is doubtful the Bears will be willing to pay that. If one or both of the other tackles look good in camp, I would look for the Bears to move Jones if he is healthy and another team has a need at left tackle.

The Chicago Bears drafted him in the 5th round (168th overall) of the 2022 NFL Draft. Remarkably, Jones started all 17 games as a rookie and earned a place on the PFWA All-Rookie Team. Over the following two seasons, he has continued to start games—playing in all 40 of his NFL outings—though injuries sidelined him at times, including an ankle fracture in December 2024.

While still the leading candidate to hold the left-tackle position, Jones faces fresh competition for the spot as he works his way back from injury during the 2025 Bears training camp, that is why I wonder if the Bears could trade him.

Dan Brown

Dan Brown

(Aspiring NFL Writer | Children’s Author | Chicago Bears Devotee in Chiefs Territory)

 

A career-changing journey has led me to pursue a passion for NFL writing, fueled by decades of unwavering devotion to the Chicago Bears. I am focused on crafting compelling NFL content. Drawing on a unique skill set honed from self-publishing three children’s picture books, this Chicago native, now residing in the heart of Chiefs Kingdom in SE Kansas, offers a unique viewpoint on the NFL landscape, combining a deep understanding of Bears history with a front-row seat to the modern dominance of the Chiefs. With a background as a retired cook and an Associate Degree in Culinary Arts, the transition to writing has been a natural progression, providing a fulfilling outlet for a passion that has always been expressed best on paper. Eager to contribute engaging and insightful NFL articles to a wider audience,  I am seeking opportunities to leverage this blend of lifelong fandom, creative writing experience, and dedication to the craft.