Oct 16, 2022; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns offensive tackle Jedrick Wills Jr. (71) walks off the field after the Browns lost to New England Patriots at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-USA TODAY Sports

Chicago Bears Add Offensive Tackle Who Sat out 2025

Originally posted on Gridiron Heroics
By Jackson Loschko | Last updated Mar 11, 2026 5:22 PM ET

As previously discussed on Gridiron Heroics, the Chicago Bears are expected to be in the market for a left tackle this offseason after offensive line coach Dan Roushar implied that the team did not have its franchise blindside blocker on the roster. Chicago re-signed Braxton Jones to a one-year contract worth up to $10 million and placed an exclusive rights free agent tender on Theo Benedet, as Ozzy Trapilo is expected to miss most, if not all, of 2026. The Bears are linked to Taylor Decker, whom the Lions released last week after announcing he would play next season after contemplating retirement.

Cleveland Browns add offensive tackle who sat out 2025

According to Adam Schefter, the Bears are signing Jedrick Wills Jr. to a one-year contract to compete for the starting left tackle spot. The former Cleveland Browns’ first-round pick has started 59 games throughout his first five seasons. Wills sat out the entire 2025 season to recover from a knee injury that had plagued him since 2023.

Former Browns first-round pick, OT Jedrick Wills Jr., is signing a one-year deal with the Chicago Bears, per source. pic.twitter.com/VILu0CbmV5

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 11, 2026

Here’s a quick review of his last three seasons in the NFL

Oct 13, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Cleveland Browns offensive tackle Jedrick Wills Jr. (71) against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images

Jedrick Wills Jr. suffered a season-ending high-grade MCL sprain, a low-grade PCL sprain, and a bone bruise in his right knee in Week 9 of the 2023 season that required arthroscopic surgery, costing him the start of the 2024 season. Wills then dealt with multiple knee issues throughout 2024, including a hyperextension in Week 7 and a flare-up in practice ahead of Week 11. He ended his final year in Cleveland, starting four of the five games he appeared in before sitting out the entire 2025 season.

This article first appeared on Gridiron Heroics and was syndicated with permission.

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