March 15, 2026, 4:30 p.m. CT
The Chicago Bears are looking for solutions at their left tackle position for the 2026 season, and they’re hoping they found one with one of their most recent signings. Earlier last week, the Bears signed former Cleveland Browns tackle Jedrick Wills Jr. to a one-year deal.
Wills was a highly-touted prospect going into the 2020 NFL Draft and was selected No. 10 overall by the Browns. The Alabama standout was quickly inserted as the Browns’ starting left tackle, helping them make the playoffs for the first time in nearly 20 years during his up and down rookie season.
As the years went on, however, Wills’ play wasn’t improving, and injuries began sidelining him for weeks at a time. After starting every game in 2022, Wills played just 12 games in 2023 and 2024 combined. When the Browns didn’t re-sign him, Wills decided to sit out the 2025 season and will attempt his comeback with the Bears, who have a need at left tackle due to the injury suffered by Ozzy Trapilo.
The Bears already opted to re-sign veteran Braxton Jones and now add Wills to the mix. Here is our initial grade of the signing.
Signing detailsNeed a news break? Check out the all new PLAY hub with puzzles, games and more!Initial grade: B
When the Bears lost Trapilo to a torn patellar tendon in the playoffs, left tackle instantly became a concerning question mark. The Bears needed to find a competent stopgap to fill in for most of the next season, and options were limited. Re-signing Jones made plenty of sense considering he knows the scheme and won’t need to rehab like he did last offseason, but that couldn’t be the only move. The Bears decided to think a little outside the box by giving Wills a shot, and it’s a solid gamble to make.
Unlike other former first-round tackles that disappointed, such as Alex Leatherwood, Evan Neal, and Kenyon Green, Wills at least had stretches of success early on. His 2020 season was decent for a rookie, earning multiple honors for his play. But as Wills battled injuries that knocked him out of games, it seems they took a toll on his confidence as well. Wills sat out games while dealing with ailments and called that a “business decision.” Those actions affected the trust between him and the coaching staff late into his Browns tenure, and the situation as a whole seemed untenable.
In my opinion, Wills was a player who not only needed a reset with his body but also his mind as well. Getting away from the game to heal up and decide what he wants out of football is a tough decision, but one that should benefit him. Now, he comes to Halas Hall with a clean slate and a chance to save his career while turning 27 years old. And at just $1.2 million, it’s the perfect gamble for the Bears to make.
This isn’t to say Wills is suddenly going to turn into a franchise left tackle and reach his potential five years later than anticipated. He has to prove his body can still hold up, then show he can play the position at an adequate level. There’s a reason he was signed for minimal money after all.
But with a full year to heal and joining a team with an offensive line coach as good as Dan Roushar, plus the benefit of playing next to a future Hall of Fame guard, the reward of signing Wills far outweighs the risk. The Bears still have options if he doesn’t work out, but they would strike gold if he could become a quality tackle. He will be one of the most interesting storylines of the offseason going into training camp this summer.