The Chicago Bears don't have to worry quite as much about the protection up front for quarterback Caleb Williams anymore. They took care of that by takingIowa offensive tackle Logan Jones at No. 57 overall in the 2026 NFL Draft.
The center brings an upgrade to the Chicago offense after he started 51 games for the Hawkeyes, earning a number of accolades including Unanimous All-American honors for his final season of college football in 2025.
Now, he'll have the chance to bring that talent over to the NFL for a team badly in need of help up front.
Chicago Bears select former Iowa center Logan Jones at 57th overall in 2026 NFL Draft
The offensive line has been a point of concern for Chicago, particularly at center after the unexpected retirement of veteran Drew Dalman over the offseason. The Bears do have former New England Patriots center Garrett Bradbury in the fold, but he has just one year left on his contract. The Bears acquired Bradbury via a trade with the Patriots in which they sent away a 2027 fifth-round pick to make the deal happen.
That left a lot of need with no true plan in sight at center, but it appears that Jones will fill that void for the foreseeable future. And the former Hawkeye has the full endorsement of Jarrett Payton, the son of legendary Bears running back Walter Payton.
"I can never get mad when you invest in the O-line," the younger Payton said on social media. "The center position is crucial in football. Logan Jones… a Rimington Trophy winner with 50+ college starts… brings solid technique, strong leverage, and the potential to be a leader and anchor this offensive line for years to come."
That's a ringing endorsement, but one that is well-deserved for Jones. NFL Draft analyst Lance Zierlein had a lot of good things to say about Jones in his initial scouting report in which he pinned Jones as a third or fourth-rounder, but he did have some concerns about his size at 6-foot-2 and 299 pounds.
"Undersized but highly experienced with NFL-ready technique," Zierlein wrote. "Jones has a dense frame and short limbs. He has impressive initial quickness and stays firm inside the framework with his hands while his feet rarely stop pressing forward. Long nose tackles with quick hands are his kryptonite at the point of attack. Iowa’s scheme limited his true pass-set count, so proving he can anchor and play with gap range will be essential. He’s operational in gap schemes but better in zone, where his athleticism mitigates his lack of length. Jones’ age, traits and center-only value could limit his suitor count, but he has the polish to help early with the right fit."
In addition to opening his NFL career, on a less serious note, Jones will never have to worry about condiments ever again. At least ketchup. Because of the fact Jones was the 57th overall pick, he will be gifted a lifetime supply of ketchup from The Kraft Heinz Company. It was something that did not come to his attention until after he was drafted.
"I love it! I'll take as much as I can get ... Let’s go ketchup!"
What an entrance to the league...
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