Last year, Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams was sacked a league-high 68 times, and while part of the problem was Williams holding on to the ball for too long, it was also blatantly obvious that the offensive line needed a massive overhaul.
Well, the Bears did just that, going out and swinging trade Joe Thuney and Jonah Jackson while signing Drew Dalman in free agency. They also selected Ozzy Trapilo in the second round of the NFL Draft.
The end result has been spectacular, as Williams has been sacked on just 23 occasions in 2025 and Chicago’s rushing attack has broken out.
One of the biggest reasons for the turnaround has been Jackson, the right guard who has posted a 74.3 overall grade at Pro Football Focus this season. The reason? Jackson is finally staying healthy after playing in just four games with the Los Angeles Rams last season and having not played a full season since 2021.
Thanks to Jackson’s durability, he is earning himself a nice contract bonus just ahead of the NFL playoffs.
Chicago Bears star Jonah Jackson is getting a late Christmas present
Oct 19, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears guard Jonah Jackson (73) reacts during the second half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike Dinovo-Imagn Images
Jackson was initially set to make $12.5 million in base salary this year, but because he has played in all 16 games (he is ironically questionable for this Sunday’s matchup against the Detroit Lions due to an illness), he is getting a considerable bump in pay, per Brad Biggs of The Chicago Tribune.
“Right guard Jonah Jackson will have his 2026 base salary increased by $2.5 million from $12.5 million to $15 million,” Biggs wrote. “Jackson played in only four games last season for the Los Angeles Rams and missed five games in 2023 for the Detroit Lions. So the Bears put some money on the table for him if he could be durable this season.”
Jackson was originally selected by the Lions in the third round of the 2020 NFL Draft and spent his first four seasons in Detroit, making the Pro Bowl in 2021. He then signed a three-year, $51 million contract with the Rams in March 2024, but was traded to the Bears after just one season.
It was a risky move for Chicago based on the fact that Jackson had been struggling to stay healthy for years, but it has clearly paid off.
The Bears are NFC North champions and can lock up the No. 2 seed in the conference this weekend.
NFL reporter discusses possibility of Bears’ DJ Moore trade this offseason
Read More
For More Great Chicago Sports Content
Get the latest Chicago sports news, analysis, and breaking stories on the Bears, Bulls, Blackhawks, Cubs, White Sox, Sky, and more! Tap the star to add us to your favorites on Google News, so you never miss a story on your favorite Chicago teams.
Follow us on Twitter at @chicitysports23 for more great content. We appreciate you taking time to read our articles. To interact more with our community and keep up to date on the latest in Chicago sports news, JOIN OUR FREE FACEBOOK GROUP by CLICKING HERE