The Chicago Bears made two trades before free agency began, kicking off a period in which they rebuilt the interior of their offensive line with trades for Joe Thuney and Jonah Jackson.
According to NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo, the Bears went the extra mile with Jackson.
Bears Sign Jonah Jackson to Contract Extension After Trade
Jonah Jackson Tied to Bears Through 2027
“As part of his trade to the #Bears, G Jonah Jackson received a one-year contract extension through 2027 and added guarantees in ’26 ($7 million fully gtd, $5.25m more for injury),” Garafolo reported on X on March 13. “He’ll get all $17.5 million he was slated to earn this season in the deal he signed with the #Rams.”
Jackson, who had over $24 million in career earnings before this deal, met with reporters on March 12 at Halas Hall.
The Bears traded a sixth-round pick in the draft for Jackson, who Bears head coach Ben Johnson said the coaching staff must get back to his Pro Bowl level. Jackson called his 2024 season an aberration.
His extension suggests the Bears do too.
“Jonah Jackson was relegated to a backup role with the #Rams,” Garafolo said in a follow-up post. “Was able to get a fresh start with the #Bears and a head coach in Ben Johnson who knows him well and got an extension with significant guarantees on top. Chicago showing its faith last season was a blip for Jackson.”
Jackson praised the Rams for making his situation as smooth as possible, including head coach Sean McVay.
McVay praised Jackson for how he handled the demotion.
For the Bears, Jackson steps into the right guard spot, replacing a revolving door of players that began with Nate Davis and indeed with Matt Pryor. Notably, Jackson earned his Pro Bowl trip while playing left guard for the Lions.
That is not on the table, of course, with Thuney, a four-time Super Bowl champion, slotted in there.
Thuney’s situation remains one to watch.
The three-time Pro Bowler is in the final year of a five-year, $80 million contract. He did not say much beyond he was leaving contract concerns to his agent. The Bears made a similar trade for wide receiver Keenan Allen in 2024.
Allen is far from a lock to return, though it remains possible. Thuney’s negotiations figure to be more complicated than Allen or Jackson’s.
But it stands to reason the Bears would work to extend him.
Bears general manager Ryan Poles extended Montez Sweat after acquiring him in a trade in 2023. Thuney locking down the left guard spot as planned could see the veteran follow a similar course of events.