ESPN recently floated a hypothetical trade that would send Chicago Bears offensive tackle Braxton Jones to the Las Vegas Raiders in exchange for edge rusher Tyree Wilson.
On paper, this trade would be a classic “change-of-scenery” swap, as ESPN describes it, with two young players who have fallen out of favor with their respective teams looking to reboot their careers elsewhere.
For Chicago, this proposal would mark the end of Jones’ rocky tenure protecting the quarterback’s blindside while taking a chance on a once-promising pass rusher who still possesses rare physical traits to help a struggling Bears’ pass rush.
Why a Trade Sending Braxton Jones Away Makes Sense for Chicago
The Bears’ situation at left tackle has quickly taken a turn in 2025. Once seen as a potential long-term building block on the offensive line, Jones’ future in Chicago has dimmed under new head coach Ben Johnson.
Despite entering the season as the starter and a potential big payday on the horizon, Jones lost his grip on the starting job just four weeks into the season. He was benched against the Raiders in Week 4 and didn’t play an offensive snap in last week’s contest against the Washington Commanders.
According to Chicago Tribune’s Brad Biggs, Jones could very well be one of the Bears’ most tradeable assets heading into the deadline.
“If a team has a need for an experienced offensive tackle, maybe Braxton Jones could be available,” Biggs wrote. “That would leave second-round pick Ozzy Trapilo as the swing tackle. Jones would be a rental because he’s in a contract year, so the return would be small.”
Johnson and his staff has shown confidence in Theo Benedet, who’s now the starting left tackle and performed well against the Commanders. That gives Chicago the flexibility to explore trade opportunities, especially as teams across the league scramble to address offensive line injuries.
The Los Angeles Chargers, for example, could be a team interested in Jones due to injuries to both Joe Alt and Rashawn Slater. NFL insider Josina Anderson reported that the Chargers have made “preliminary inquiries at the running back and tackle position,” so Jones could be on the team’s radar.
Still, ESPN’s proposed trade with Las Vegas offers something the Chargers can’t: a young, physically gifted former first-round pick in return.
Taking a Swing on Tyree Wilson’s Untapped Potential
GettyTyree Wilson #9 of the Las Vegas Raiders sacks Drake Maye #10 of the New England Patriots.
The Bears’ pass rush has underperformed to start the 2025 season, producing just eight sacks in five games despite heavily investing money in Montez Sweat and Dayo Odeyingbo. They have been disruptive in moments, but their combined output of just two sacks and two roughing the passer penalties has underscored Chicago’s need for depth and fresh energy on the edge.
That’s where Tyree Wilson becomes an intriguing gamble. Once the No. 7 overall pick in 2023, Wilson has yet to live up to his billing as a dominant pass rusher. He’s played in just 42% of the defensive snaps this season, and is owed $4.2 million in guaranteed money next year with a potential fifth-year option available in 2027.
If he could find success with a new team like the Bears, it could be a massive boost for a struggling defensive line. Plus, the Raiders have also used Wilson in the middle of the line, which has given him the experience to play as both a defensive end and a defensive tackle.
Wilson has the athletic traits that defensive coordinator Dennis Allen covets, standing at 6’5″ and 263 pounds, and at just 25 years old, this would be a low-risk, high-upside move for Chicago.
In the best-case scenario, Wilson blossoms in a new environment, and the Bears gain a player for someone in Jones who will likely leave the team this offseason. It could be an under-the-radar move that takes the Bears’ defense to new heights.
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post Bears Trade Pitch Sends Braxton Jones Away for 1st-Round DE appeared first on Heavy Sports.