{"id":850086,"date":"2026-04-02T21:47:14","date_gmt":"2026-04-02T21:47:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/850086\/"},"modified":"2026-04-02T21:47:14","modified_gmt":"2026-04-02T21:47:14","slug":"steal-of-the-offseason-tom-thayer-drops-bold-take-on-bears-jedrick-wills-signing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/850086\/","title":{"rendered":"\u201cSteal of the Offseason\u201d \u2014 Tom Thayer Drops Bold Take On Bears\u2019 Jedrick Wills Signing"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Chicago Bears<\/a> didn\u2019t spend heavily in free agency this year, but they were active across multiple areas. That was particularly true on the offensive line. It started with trading for veteran center Garrett Bradbury from New England. Drew Dalman had just retired, and the team needed a reliable option in the middle. Next came some decisions at left tackle. Unsurprisingly, the Bears opted to bring back Braxton Jones. He knows the system, has starting experience, and can be a solid hand when healthy. The much bigger surprise was the arrival of Jedrick Wills, the former 10th overall pick in 2020. It was a move met with a shrug of the shoulders at first. Tom Thayer liked the move only because it improved team depth.<\/p>\n

However, it sounds like the former Bears guard has changed his stance in the past three weeks. He appeared on Kap & J. Hood for ESPN 1000<\/a> to discuss the team\u2019s new-look line. Thayer openly stated that Wills could be the steal of the offseason, provided he is healthy after missing most of the past two seasons due to a unique knee injury. It is such that the longtime analyst even believes it isn\u2019t necessary for the Bears to draft an offensive tackle early.<\/p>\n

Tom Thayer usually can be trusted with his takes.<\/p>\n

After all, he was one of the first to praise the Bears when they drafted Jones in 2022. He stated early on that the rookie tackle should be considered a real threat to start. He loved the Darnell Wright pick a year later and knew immediately what sort of impact Joe Thuney would have when the Bears traded for him. The point is, Thayer knows capable offensive linemen when he sees them. It appears he went back and reviewed the tape of Wills since the signing first happened. Apparently, he came away more encouraged than he thought.<\/p>\n

Talent was never the issue with Wills. He was the 10th overall pick for a reason. Draft experts loved his mix of size and athleticism, believing he had all the tools of a future Pro Bowler. Things started pretty well in Cleveland, helping the Browns make the playoffs as a rookie. His second year was solid as well. Then things took a turn in 2022. The team had shifted from Baker Mayfield to Deshaun Watson following the blockbuster trade, resulting in a significant scheme shift. Wills didn\u2019t take to it well, and then injuries struck a year later.<\/p>\n

\ud83d\udd25 Subscribe to the Untold Chicago YouTube channel<\/a> to hear Chicago legends tell stories you\u2019ve never seen in headlines \u2014 real moments, real experiences, straight from the athletes themselves.<\/p>\n

Jedrick Wills
6’4″ 312lbs
34.5″ arm length
26 yrs old<\/p>\n

Unfortunately, he’s had a very injured career thus far.
Games played
2020 = 15 (shin injury)
2021 = 13 (week 1 sprained ankle, aggravated in wk 4)
2022 = 17
2023 = 8 (MCL injury needing surgery)
2024 = 5 (hyperextended left\u2026 https:\/\/t.co\/j9PuCB9tCc<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Nick Whalen (@_NickWhalen) March 11, 2026<\/a> What matters is what the Bears think.<\/p>\n

They signed him for a reason. They must think Wills has the capacity to play. Head coach Ben Johnson has always had a sharp eye for talent. The medicals must\u2019ve checked out as well, or the Bears wouldn\u2019t have finalized the deal. That leaves questions about Wills\u2019 motivation. Analysts in Cleveland expressed concerns about the young tackle\u2019s passion for the game, which began to show after his first couple of years. Is Johnson confident he can fix that, or does he believe Wills was unfairly criticized for what was a tough situation?<\/p>\n

It\u2019s one of those possibilities, or the Bears merely see him as a cheap flier for training camp. We\u2019ll get a clearer picture on that during the draft. If the team doesn\u2019t select an offensive tackle in the first two rounds, that will be a signal they\u2019re willing to give Wills an honest shot. He\u2019s always had the ability. Maybe this offense is a better fit for him than what he had to play with the Browns. Dan Roushar is one of the best in the business. If the Bears\u2019 offensive line coach can reignite Wills, nobody can. Tom Thayer has that level of trust.<\/p>\n