In a move that signals roster adjustments for both teams, the Los Angeles Rams have agreed to trade offensive lineman Jonah Jackson to the Chicago Bears in exchange for a 2025 sixth-round draft pick. The deal, reported by ESPN’s Courtney Cronin and Adam Schefter on March 4, 2025, cannot be finalized until the new league year begins on March 12, but it marks a significant shift for both franchises as they prepare for the upcoming season. This trade ends Jackson’s brief and injury-plagued tenure with the Rams while offering the Bears a veteran presence to bolster their offensive line.
A Disappointing Stint in Los Angeles
Jonah Jackson joined the Rams as a high-profile free agent in March 2024, signing a three-year, $51 million contract after a successful four-year run with the Detroit Lions. The 28-year-old guard, a 2021 Pro Bowl selection, was expected to anchor the Rams’ interior offensive line alongside Steve Avila and Kevin Dotson. However, his time in Los Angeles quickly unraveled due to injuries and a lack of fit within the team’s scheme.
Jackson suffered a fractured scapula in Week 2 of the 2024 season, sidelining him for a significant portion of the year. Upon returning from injured reserve in November, he was thrust into the starting center role—a position where he had minimal prior experience—replacing rookie Beaux Limmer. The experiment lasted just one game before he was benched, as the Rams’ offensive line performed better without him. His lone start at right guard in Week 18, a game where the Rams rested most starters, was a footnote in an otherwise forgettable season. In total, Jackson appeared in only four games, a stark contrast to the 57 starts he logged with Detroit.
The Rams permitted Jackson to seek a trade in late February 2025, a clear indication that both sides were ready to move on. The trade saves Los Angeles $3.3 million in cap space for 2025, though it leaves behind $11.3 million in dead money. Crucially, the Bears are taking on Jackson’s full contract, including a $9 million fully guaranteed salary for 2025 and a $17 million non-guaranteed sum for 2026, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter. For the Rams, this deal unloads a hefty financial commitment and allows them to fully commit to their current lineup, featuring Avila, Dotson, and Limmer.
A New Opportunity in Chicago
For the Chicago Bears, acquiring Jonah Jackson represents a calculated move to address a pressing need along their offensive line. The interior of Chicago’s line has been a weak point, and with star quarterback Caleb Williams entering his second season, protecting their franchise cornerstone is a top priority. Jackson’s arrival likely slots him into the starting left guard position, providing a seasoned presence to a unit that could see significant turnover this offseason.
The trade also reunites Jackson with Bears head coach Ben Johnson, who served as the Detroit Lions’ offensive coordinator during Jackson’s tenure there. Johnson witnessed Jackson’s peak performance firsthand, including his Pro Bowl season in 2021 when he started all 16 games and played 100% of the offensive snaps. That familiarity could ease Jackson’s transition to Chicago and allow him to recapture the form that made him a standout in Detroit.
While Jackson’s injury history—compounded by a shoulder issue in 2024—raises some concerns, his track record suggests he can be a high-impact player when healthy. During his final three years with the Lions, he consistently graded above average as a guard per Pro Football Focus, excelling particularly in run blocking within a gap scheme. If he can stay on the field, Jackson offers the Bears a reliable piece to build around as they aim to create a stronger foundation for Williams.
What’s Next for Both Teams?
For the Rams, this trade clears the way for continuity along their offensive line. Beaux Limmer, a sixth-round pick in 2024, emerged as a capable starter at center, while Steve Avila and Kevin Dotson remain entrenched at guard. With $44.4 million in projected cap space for 2025, per Over The Cap, Los Angeles can now redirect resources to other priorities—potentially including extensions for key players or additional free-agent signings.
The Bears, meanwhile, still have work to do. While Jackson fills one gap, the center and right guard positions remain question marks heading into free agency and the draft. General manager Ryan Poles has shown a willingness to use Day 3 picks in trades—such as this sixth-rounder—to acquire proven talent, and this move aligns with that strategy. However, Chicago’s ability to maximize this acquisition hinges on Jackson’s health and Johnson’s ability to integrate him into the Bears’ offensive scheme.
A Win-Win Deal?
At first glance, the trade appears to benefit both sides. The Rams shed a contract that no longer fit their plans, gaining a modest draft pick in return while avoiding additional salary obligations. The Bears, in turn, take a low-risk gamble on a player with a proven ceiling, spending minimal draft capital to address a critical need. For Jonah Jackson, it’s a chance to hit the reset button with a familiar coach and a team eager to invest in its offensive line.
As the NFL offseason heats up, this trade serves as an early indicator of how both the Rams and Bears are positioning themselves for 2025. For Los Angeles, it’s about refining a roster that reached the second round of the playoffs in 2024. For Chicago, it’s a step toward building a contender around Caleb Williams. Only time will tell if Jackson can reclaim his Pro Bowl form—and if this deal becomes a footnote or a turning point for either franchise.
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