I have been chewing on the idea of the Chicago Bears trading for Los Angeles Rams offensive lineman Jonah Jackson for a few days now.
Bears fans who were ready to hang their hat on their favorite team signing Trey Smith in free agency have been forced to pivot since the Kansas City Chiefs decided to place the Non-Exclusive Franchise Tag on the Pro Bowl right guard. The bad news is that we’re pivoting in the first place. But the good news is that the Bears have options worth exploring. No, they’re not all great. However, some are better than others. And then there is Jonah Jackson, who I find to be an intriguing trade candidate.
The #Rams have given permission to G Jonah Jackson to seek a trade, per @JFowlerESPN. LA signed the former Lions Pro Bowler to a 3-year, $51M contract last offseason. pic.twitter.com/KcpFJniWo2
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) February 26, 2025Who is Jonah Jackson and why would the Bears target him in a trade?
Jonah Jackson is a 28-year-old offensive lineman who was recently granted permission by the Los Angeles Rams to seek a trade. Jackson was limited to four games last year due to injuries. But even when he was healthy enough to return to the lineup, the Rams kept him on the bench. That Los Angeles was able to cobble together an offensive line that took the team to the second round of the playoffs suggests that Jackson is expendable. Hence, the team gave him the green light to pursue a trade.
Before signing a three-year contract worth $51 million with the Rams last offseason, Jonah Jackson established himself with the Detroit Lions. A third-round pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, Jackson played in 57 games (all starts) with Detroit. His best season came in 2021 in which he played 100 percent of the snaps and earned Pro Bowl honors for his efforts. According to Pro Football Focus’ grading scale, Jackson was an above average guard during his final three years with the Lions. Between his past success in Detroit and connection with Bears Head Coach Ben Johnson (who he crossed paths with while with the Lions), it is easy to connect the dots and put Jackson on the Bears’ radar.
For the Rams, understanding why trading Jonah Jackson is a good idea is simple. The move could create some valuable space under the salary cap for Los Angeles, which currently has $44.071 million worth of space. That is a hefty amount, but the team could stand to add more — which is among the reasons the Rams have opened the door for Jackson to seek a trade partner for the L.A. lineman.
© Denny Medley-Imagn ImagesAs for why the Bears would want to take a swing at trading for Jonah Jackson, I believe ESPN’s Ben Solak explains it best:
If Jackson is the player he was with the Lions, he can offer high-impact run blocking in a gap running scheme and also provide a fine level of pass protection (though it isn’t necessarily his strength). But that’s only if he’s fully healthy, which is challenging to predict given his injury-riddled 2024 (and history of injuries before then). It’s more likely Jackson offers quality play for some percentage of the 2025 season at less than 100%.
And it’s not as if the cost should be problematic. Solak projects a late-round swap of picks is enough to get it done and calls a Rams-Patriots trade in which the Pats get Jackson and a 2026 seventh-round pick while the Rams receive a 2026 sixth-rounder a “perfect trade outcome” given the situation. And after watching Bears GM Ryan Poles use Day 3 picks to trade for a backup defensive tackle last year (Chris Williams) and a reserve offensive lineman (Dan Feeney) the year before, I feel as if engaging in a late-round pick swap for a proven starter would be a far better use of draft capital.
© Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn ImagesYou don’t have to squint to see how the Bears fit as a trade partner for Rams offensive lineman Jonah Jackson. The team needs a left guard, a coach who has seen Jackson play his best ball, and enough cap space to absorb the financial hit that would come with a trade. Plus, acquiring Jackson isn’t the type of move that would stop Chicago’s front office from seeking offensive line help in the 2025 NFL Draft. The Bears could use Jackson and a stop-gap placeholder while young draft picks develop behind him on the depth chart.
MORE: A Smattering of Offensive Line Thoughts
In the end, I do not believe the Bears should be banging the table to make this trade. But I would not be opposed to the team kicking the tires on this opportunity. With that being said, there are better options in free agency (Aaron Banks? Teven Jenkins? Will Fries?), which makes me believe that Chicago’s football team doesn’t need to rush to get this done. Heck, waiting out the Rams (who could cut Jonah Jackson and create cap space that way) and calling their bluff might be a better play in the long run. In any case, this situation is worth monitoring as we continue exploring Bears offensive line options.
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