PFF tabs Chicago Bears OT Braxton Jones for breakout season

Chicago Bears third-year offensive tackle Braxton Jones has developed into a solution at the position, at least temporarily. The 2022 fifth-round pick has performed admirably after unexpectedly winning the job as a Day Three rookie two seasons ago. Jones now possesses the security and skill-set required to take another step forward in 2024.

That’s precisely why Pro Football Focus have labeled him one of five offensive linemen they see experiencing breakout campaigns in 2024.

5 offensive linemen positioned to break out this seasonhttps://t.co/CUDR6Fb1tR

— PFF (@PFF) July 2, 2024

“By any measure, Braxton Jones has dramatically exceeded expectations in the NFL,” PFF’s Sam Monson wrote. “A former fifth-round draft pick, Jones has been a starter for the last two seasons and has been solid in all areas. However, he didn’t improve in his second season, and players who are merely “solid” often quickly become seen in terms of their deficiencies rather than their strengths.”

Monson goes on to explain that replacing Justin Fields with Caleb Williams at quarterback will help elevate Jones’ game to new heights. We agree with that analysis given that Fields routinely converted pressures into sacks, failing to go through his progressions in an efficient manner. Williams should be considerably more decisive, even as a rookie, placing less pressure on the offensive linemen to hold their blocks for lengthy periods of time.

“Jones wasn’t helped by the play of Justin Fields, even if he was occasionally bailed out on individual plays,” Monson continued. “Fields could certainly escape the occasional quick pressure, but he was also the architect of a lot of pressure and held onto the ball longer than any other player in the game, stressing the protection in front of him. With a new quarterback behind him, Jones may look significantly better in Year 3 and will hopefully be healthy once again, showing a true ceiling of what he can become at this level.”

The Bears drafted former Yale offensive tackle Kiran Amegadjie with a third-round selection. Amegadjie may be viewed as the future starter at left tackle, but he’ll develop behind the scenes for now. Jones remains a plug-and-play starter, and a breakout season in 2024 could extend his tenure in Chicago.