Could Bears' Braxton Jones rebuild stock with solid 2026 season?

The Chicago Bears are coming into the 2026 season hot. They're the reigning No. 1 team in the NFC North, and they want to keep that streak going and then some.

As always, Ben Johnson and the powers that be have a lot on their plate. They have to make sure they have the right players to take this team to the next level.

One of their current players is now being dubbed a player who's under a lot of pressure in 2026. He actually made the list last year, too.

Braxton Jones is facing plenty of pressure in 2026

On Thursday, Bill Barnwell of ESPN released a list of NFL players who have big years ahead of them. One Bears player made the cut: offensive tackle Braxton Jones.

In the piece, Barnwell notes that last year "didn't go well" for Jones, who wasn't totally healthy to start the season and was benched in the middle of it.

But, he has another chance this season. 

"Needing a short-term solution at left tackle, the Bears then re-signed Jones to a one-year, $5 million deal, and he looks like the favorite to start there ahead of Benedet and Trapilo in Week 1," Barnwell notes. 

He adds, "Trapilo will eventually regain the starting job once healthy, but Jones is essentially on display for the league's other 31 teams for as long as he's on the field at left tackle in Chicago."

Barnwell also makes the case that if Jones plays well this season and stays healthy, because his position is in demand, he could be one of the most sought-after free agents in 2027. Those are a lot of "ifs," but it could happen.