The Chicago Bears are gearing up for a hyped 2026 season, where they’re looking to build off their impressive first season under head coach Ben Johnson, which included an NFC North title and a wild-card playoff win. While they found success in 2025, it’s a brand new slate for this Bears team following an offseason of change, including the departures of key veterans and the additions of new veterans and exciting rookies.
The work begins in training camp, where Johnson will put his team through the wringer with the intent to prepare them for the 2026 season. Every day from now right up through training camp, we’re counting down our 30 Most Important Bears for the 2026 season. We’ll recap their 2025 season, look ahead to 2026 and tackle the biggest question facing them this year.
At No. 7 is right guard Jonah Jackson, who stood out in his first year with the Bears and will be counted on to keep up his high level of play next to Darnell Wright.
Background
Position: Guard
Age: 29
Experience: 7th season
2026 cap hit: $12.7 million
2025 recap
The Bears took a swing on Jackson when they acquired him from the Los Angeles Rams for a sixth-round pick. Though he was a former Pro Bowler, Jackson struggled in his lone season on the West Coast after signing a big contract and became expendable. Chicago believed pairing him with his former offensive coordinator, Ben Johnson, would be the perfect remedy to get him back on track. They were right. Jackson started every game for the Bears in 2025 and meshed well with right tackle Darnell Wright to become a strength on the offense. Jackson was solid in pass blocking but excelled in run blocking to help the Bears finish with a top rushing attack. According to PFF, Jackson allowed just three sacks, 31 total pressures, and finished first among guards with just one QB hit allowed.
Importance in 2026
The offensive line did some shuffling this offseason at multiple positions, but Jackson and the right side remain unchanged, which is good news for the offense as a whole. The Bears are counting on Jackson to maintain his level of play in 2026, as well as continue to remain healthy. Jackson may not have the same accolades as Joe Thuney or the talent of Wright, but he is vital to the offense’s success as a stabilizing presence. Especially while playing next to a new center, whether it be Garrett Bradbury or rookie Logan Jones. We saw what a good offensive line can do for Caleb Williams and the rushing attack, and Jackson plays a major part in that.
Big question: Can Jackson repeat his 2025 success?
The offensive line has multiple question marks, mainly at center and left tackle. But it’s fair to wonder if Jackson’s success he had in 2025 can be carried over into 2026. He’s only two years removed from injury issues derailing his tenure with the Rams, and last season was the first time Jackson played in every single game since his rookie year in 2020. His PFF grade of 71.4 last year was the highest of his career. And with a new center playing to his left, Jackson may not get away with some of his mistakes like he did in 2025 when Drew Dalman was able to cover them up. The good news is Jackson is in the same system with the same offensive line coach and continues to play next to Wright. Jackson should still be solid in 2026, but it wouldn’t surprise me to see his play dip a little bit with some of the changes happening around him.
30 Most Important Bears of 2026
This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: 30 Most Important Bears of 2026: Jonah Jackson (No. 7)
Reporting by Brendan Sugrue and Alyssa Barbieri, Bears Wire / Bears Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Brendan Sugrue and Alyssa Barbieri, Bears Wire | USA TODAY Network
