Selected by the Bears in the fifth round of the 2022 draft out of Southern Utah, Jones started all 17 games as a rookie. He remained the No. 1 left tackle the next two seasons, though injuries limited him to 11 contests in 2023 and 12 in 2024.
Despite still rebounding from a broken fibula that ended his 2024 campaign, Jones won a competition last summer with Ozzy Trapilo, Theo Benedet and Kiran Amegadjie for the starting left tackle position. Jones opened the first four games before being replaced by Trapilo in the second quarter of a road win over the Raiders.
“It was a big learning moment for me … just putting that chip back on my shoulder and also checking myself for where I was and what I need to be better at,” Jones said. “Looking back at it now, I wouldn’t say I’m happy about it. But I’ve learned a lot from it and I’ve grown from it and I’ve realized maybe that’s something that needed to happen for me to boost my career again.”
A few weeks after being replaced against the Raiders, Jones sustained a knee injury in practice that sidelined him for the rest of the season. He did return to practice in advance of the playoffs but did not play in either of the Bears’ two postseason games against the Packers and Rams.
With Trapilo set to miss most of the season due to a knee injury he sustained in a wild card win over Green Bay, the competition at left tackle likely will be wide open. Jones is expected to battle to regain the job he held for three-plus years with Benedet, Amegadjie and free-agent signee Jedrick Wills.
“Being able to re-sign with the Bears for another year and just the opportunity that is presented is amazing,” Jones said. “I’m extremely grateful. I’m excited to show that I can go out and be full go.”