If I told you that two Chicago Bears offensive linemen could help shape the entire landscape of the 2026 NFL season, you’d probably pick Darnell Wright and Joe Thuney. And I wouldn’t blame you. Frankly, I’d think you are spot on with your assessment. Thuney is a perennial Pro Bowler and is one of the league’s five best interior offensive linemen. Wright is coming off of his best season and could establish himself as football’s best right tackle early in the season.
But those aren’t the two Bears linemen who pop up in this CBS Sports post highlighting 50 under-the-radar players who could help shape the 2026 NFL season. Instead, left tackle Braxton Jones and center Garrett Bradbury are name-checked by author Zachary Pereles. Those are some deep pulls on Zachary’s part. Let’s discuss.
How the Bears Offensive Line Plays is a Top Summer Story to Follow
One pundit believes two Chicago Bears offensive linemen could shape the story of the 2026 NFL season. That the names weren’t who any of us were likely thinking about definitely put some thoughts through my head.
But first, let’s share Pereles’ thoughts on Braxton Jones, who is pegged as one of five bounce-back candidates to keep tabs on this season:
Jones looked like a terrific find when he started all 17 games as a fifth-round rookie in 2022. He has struggled with injuries since and didn’t look like himself at all in 2025 before landing on injured reserve. Ozzy Trapilo tore his patellar tendon in the playoffs, and Jones is now in the running to protect Caleb Williams’ blind side.
Braxton Jones signed a one-year “prove it” deal with the Bears back in March. And while Jones’ name is pencilled into the starting lineup now, he will have to hold off free-agent addition Jedrick Wills Jr., Theo Benedet, and possibly Kiran Amegadjie to keep his job. If Jones can recapture the form he had before injuries started nagging him, the Bears’ offensive line (and offense, as a whole) will be better for it.
Side note: Former Bears wide receiver Darnell Mooney is mentioned as a bounce-back candidate in this CBS Sports story, and I am rooting for it to happen.
Braxton Jones (70) blocks against Texans defensive end Will Anderson Jr. (51) at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn ImagesMeanwhile, Garrett Bradbury shows up as one of the 16 notable players in the “known face, new place” category:
Bradbury has the unenviable task of stepping in for Drew Dalman, whose unexpected retirement earlier this offseason forced the Bears into action. Bradbury, acquired for a fifth-round pick, was fine in New England and has generally been just fine throughout his career. Ben Johnson is used to having top-tier centers, but he also often gets the best out of his linemen. Is Bradbury next?
Thinking about the Garrett Bradbury situation gives me conflicting thoughts.
On the one hand, Bradbury is a perfectly cromulent center option. He is a downgrade from Drew Dalman, but he is a serviceable option in a pinch. And I’d consider a player whose expiring contract isn’t problematic on the salary cap who also has worthwhile NFL starting experience to fall under the umbrella of being serviceable. On the other hand, Bradbury might not be the best option and could lose his starting gig to rookie Logan Jones. No matter how that cookie crumbles, it will have a domino effect throughout Chicago’s offense.
My big takeaway here is that the Bears’ offensive line will be the story of the 2026 season. Because in addition to the Jones and Bradbury sideplots, we’ve got eyes on Darnell Wright taking another step after a second-team All-Pro season, as well as our continued admiration of Joe Thuney’s excellence at left guard. Ultimately, if everyone on the line plays to their potential, this could be one of the NFL’s best units for the second consecutive season. That could pay off in a big way for quarterback Caleb Williams, the Bears offense, and the team as a whole. Of course, that is a big if. Nevertheless, I’m looking forward to seeing how it plays out.
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