The Chicago Bears entered the 2026 NFL off-season knowing that they would need to find a stop-gap left tackle. Ozzy Trapilo is their future at the position, but he will miss most, if not all, of the 2026 season with a knee injury. Braxton Jones was retained on a one-year $10 million contract, and he can fill in there if needed.
However, if Chicago viewed Jones as a viable left tackle, they would not have needed to draft Trapilo. In order to ensure they have the best player possible protecting Caleb Williams’ blindside, the Bears signed Jedrick Wills Jr.
Chicago Bears offensive lineman Jedrick Wills Jr. reveals injury last year was worse than first believed
Cleveland Browns running back DÕErnest Johnson gets a hug from left tackle Jedrick Wills Jr. after gaining a game clinching first down in the fourth quarter against the Denver Broncos on Thursday, Oct. 21, 2021 in Cleveland, at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Browns won the game 17-14. [Phil Masturzo/ Beacon Journal]
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The Bears signed Willis to a one-year $1.2 million contract. He missed all of 2025 and most of 2023 and 2024 with a knee injury that turned out to be more complex than anyone initially thought.
According to Courtney Cronin of ESPN, Wills said of his injury:
“I had minimal damage to my ligaments. It was more of an alignment issue from where I got fell on.
“It wasn’t my knee; they had to go into my femur and do what was called an osteotomy to kind of correct my alignment. So my knee is healthy. It took a little bit longer than just the regular injury, but it’s doing better now.
Willis’ injury was at first diagnosed as an MCL ailment, but as stated above, he also needed to get his knee and femur realigned.
Prior 2023, Wills was Cleveland’s starting left tackle, so he has the pedigree to fill in at the position for Chicago. However, he has not played an NFL game in well over a year.
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