Report: Chicago Bears trading for Guard Jonah Jackson
Lineman will reunite with former coach Ben Johnson; 6th rounder back to the Rams
ESPN’s Courtney Cronin reported Tuesday that the Chicago Bears are trading for Guard Jonah Jackson, the first piece of an expected interior line overhaul this spring.
In exchange, Chicago is sending the Los Angeles Rams one its three sixth-round picks in 2025.
Jackson reunites with coach Ben Johnson, who was the Detroit Lions offensive coordinator. Jackson left Motown in free agency on a 3/$51 million deal in 2024. Chicago takes on all of the $17.5 million owed to Jackson this year.
The trade gives the a starting caliber guard before the legal tampering period opens March 10. Free agency begins March 12 when the trade will process.
Jackson was a release candidate due to only $8.5 million of his contract being guaranteed.
Analyzing the trade
Seth Walder of ESPN gave the Bears a D for the trade.
Taking on the full cost for a release candidate is not ideal. Jackson was underwhelming his first year with the Rams and was injured.
Chicago entered Tuesday with $79 million in cap space. Adding Jackson takes that number down to $61 million. He can be released without a dead cap hit after the 2025 season.
Moreover, the low-risk nature makes the trade worth it considering the connection to Johnson. If there was a time to put trust in the new head coach, it’s adding a guy he’s had success with. At 28, Jackson is still in his prime and his contract isn’t far off the comparable deals for Teven Jenkins this spring.
Importantly, adding Jackson gives Chicago a jump on the market and draft to address the offensive line. With Jenkins heading to free agency, and holes across the line, GM Ryan Poles check an item off the to-do list. If Jackson succeeds next year, the $17 million cap hit in 2026 will be worth retaining.
The interior offensive line market has exploded in recent years. Jackson capitalized on growing demand last year. Trey Smith, the top free agent across the board, was franchise tagged by the Kansas City Chiefs. Creed Humphrey recently reset the center market, where free agent Drew Dalman will look to cash in.
Even so, Chicago has plenty of cap space to work with this spring and three top-41 picks in the NFL Draft. Adding Jackson changes none of the team’s plans this off season. The team will look to add to both trenches in free agency and the draft.
