The Chicago Bears held a closed practice on Monday after their preseason-opening tie against the Miami Dolphins. Caleb Williams and the Bears’ other listed starters were in attendance since they got fewer reps than the reserves, which made who the Bears had at left tackle stand out.
It was Braxton Jones. Jones is still listed as the Bears’ starting left tackle. However, their initial depth chart is also unofficial and subject to change.
Still, it was Jones who received the reps protecting Williams’ blindside on Monday.
Bears Keep OL Together in Training Camp Practice After Opener
Braxton Jones Still Bears’ LT1
Jones logged 24 snaps for the Bears against the Dolphins compared to rookie second-round draft pick Ozzy Trapilo’s 37, per Pro Football Focus. The 2022 fifth-round draft pick was the only member of the Bears’ starting OL to play in the contest.
Jones is working his way back from an ankle injury that cut his 2024 season short, required surgery, and sidelined him during the Bears’ offseason program.
That there has been a competition between him and Trapilo could work in either player’s favor.
Jones is not yet at full strength, which bodes well for where the line could be performing if he maintains his starting role. The 26-year-old started every game as a rookie but has battled several injuries in the seasons since.
Conversely, Trapilo holding his own as a rookie bodes well for his trajectory. It could make sense for the Bears to plug him in and go from there.
Jones is in the final year of his rookie contract, which could be a significant X-factor in the Bears’ decision.
The only other listed starter who played in the game on Sunday and participated in practice on Monday was rookie first-round pick and tight end Colston Loveland. That is a good sign since both are coming off injuries that limited them during the offseason program.
For the Bears, keeping Jones in place allows the offensive line to build the chemistry required for them to operate as a cohesive unit, which is paramount to success.
DJ Moore Gets Real About Challenges of Ben Johnson’s Attention to Detail
One of the more notable takes on Bears head coach Ben Johnson came from wide receiver DJ Moore. Moore noted that Johnson can go from smiling one moment to being serious the next and that it can be “kind of creepy.” He said he takes everything the coach says seriously.
However, Moore was also asked about what he likes about Johnson’s attention to detail.
That would have been a noteworthy answer in its own right. But Moore followed that up, unprompted, with what challenges playing for Johnson presents.
“What’s hard about it is that you really got to be in your playbook and know every last detail of that playbook … like he do,” Moore told reporters after practice on Monday. “If not, you going to get either the evil eye or you just going to get yelled at to get in the right spot. So, I try to stay away from that.”
Johnson’s fire has been seen on several occasions for rookies and veterans alike.
Like tight end Cole Kmet, though, who has been on the receiving end of Johnson’s ire, Moore believes the coach’s level of attention to details and the accountability that he requires as part of that will “get where we want to go.”
Bears Continue to Shake Up Back End of Roster
The Bears officially signed running back Brittain Brown, which was reported as expected on Sunday. In a corresponding move, the Bears waived veteran reserve DB Ameer Speed.
To replace Speed, the Bears signed former TCU DB and 2024 undrafted free agent Mark Perry.
#Bears are signing former @TCUFootball safety Mark Perry, previously #Texans #Patriots #Dolphins #Titans following a successful workout today, per a league source,” KPRC 2’s Aaron Wilson reported on X on August 11. “He is represented by @VicEnwere1.”
Perry spent three seasons at Colorado before transferring to TCU. He notably finished his career with 3 interceptions, all during the 2021 campaign.
He has never played in a regular-season game and could be one of several signings.
In addition to Speed, Bears UDFA safety Major Burns exited Sunday’s contest with an undisclosed knee injury. Starting safeties Jaquan Brisker and Kevin Byard were both in attendance for Monday’s practice.
Top backups Elijah Hicks and Jonathan Owens did not emerge with any injuries during Sunday’s game, either. The Bears appear to be in good shape, generally speaking.
The Bears also signed cornerback Kaleb Hayes, per Wilson. Hayes has spent time with the Denver Broncos, Green Bay Packers, and New York Giants. The Bears had cornerbacks Tyrique Stevenson and Nahshon Wright at practice on Monday, and remain without Jaylon Johnson while Kyler Gordon picked up a hamstring injury in practice last week.
