Grading the signing: Bears take a flyer on a former first-round pick to prove how serious they are about finding a 2026 starter at left tackle
The Chicago Bears have signed Jedrick Wills Jr. to a one-year deal.
The Chicago Bears are gearing up to have another intense offseason battle at the left tackle position after making another addition to the room in free agency.
The Bears have signed former Cleveland Browns first-round pick Jedrick Wills Jr. to a one-year contract. A potential reclamation opportunity for Wills, saying he can win the starting job as the left tackle for the Bears in 2026 while 2025 second-round pick Ozzy Trapilo rehabs from a patellar tendon injury suffered in the playoffs.
As the LT battle starts to intensify, what are the Bears getting in the new arrivals?
The Bears already made the decision to re-sign 2022 fifth-round pick Braxton Jones to a one-year deal that’s worth up to $10 million. Jones was a three-year starter for the Bears but had his fourth season derailed due to injuries. Chicago opted to bring Jones back for 2026 and give him a second chance to prove he’s healthy enough to be a starting left tackle, but he’s going to have to earn it this time.
Last year, Jones was competing against Trapilo, Theo Benedet, and Kiran Amegadjie for the starting role. All three players, outside Trapilo, are in contention for the starting position in 2026 and now a new horse joins the race in Wills.
Wills was drafted 10th overall by the Browns back in 2020 and started 57 of 58 possible games in Cleveland. However, he’s got some injury history behind him as well after playing just 13 games over his last two seasons. For more insight, I spoke with A to Z Sports Cleveland writer Brandon Little.
“The Browns drafted Wills back in 2020 with the No. 10 overall pick to be the franchise tackle they’ve been looking for since Joe Thomas. After a solid rookie season, Wills was never able to take the next step in his second or third seasons, with inconsistent play hurt him more than anything.
A torn MCL in 2023 only allowed Wills to play in eight games and he was limited to just five games in 2024. Wills dealt with related knee issues to the MCL injury two seasons ago and took the 2025 season off to get fully healthy. Effort and the ability to get better really hindered Wills’ time in Cleveland, but Chicago could be getting him at the right time.
Wills should be a motivated player for the Bears who can compete to be a swing tackle for them. The former Brown played right tackle at Alabama to protect Tua Tagovailoa’s blindside, then made the flip to the left side once in the pros.”
This move simply adds another body to the tackle position in 2026 with five tackles on the roster, not including Trapilo, and none of the ones battling for the starting left tackle job are exciting options. But, let the competition begin.
Grade: C-
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