Former Hawkeye center Logan Jones continues to show everyone why he was an All-American selection and the Rimington Trophy winner last season.
Jones was initially tasked with replacing star center Tyler Linderbaum, but he quickly dispelled any doubts about his ability to fill the role. After redshirting his first season and playing in only two games on the defensive line before suffering a season-ending injury in his second, Jones was moved to the offensive line, and the rest is history. After the Chicago Bears made Jones a second-round draft pick, he was immediately mentioned in the conversation for the starting center spot, and he has continued to show why he could win the job during the summer.
Jones has started his summer off strong by not allowing a single QB pressure
Jones started every game but one at center for the offensive line from 2022 to 2025, racking up 51 career starts, missing only one game in 2024 due to an injury in the bowl game against Missouri. He was the anchor of the line last season, as he was named a First-Team All-American and the winner of the Rimington Trophy, given to the nation's best center, while also guiding the unit to the Joe Moore Award. The Bears were reportedly "smitten" with Jones before the draft and selected him with the No. 57 overall pick in the second round of the 2026 NFL Draft.
Head coach Ben Johnson and the Bears coaching staff have had nothing but high praise for Jones starting with OTAs and rookie minicamp earlier this summer, and he has rewarded their faith by playing well in Chicago's first two preseason games.
Bears Rookie Center Logan Jones | Preseason Week 2:
— PFF College (@PFF_College) August 23, 2026
🐻 26 Pass Block Snaps
🐻 Zero Pressures Allowed@HawkeyeFootball pic.twitter.com/NqkoLRFK4l
Before Jones arrived in Chicago, he was knocked for his size and length, but he was praised for his athletic ability and his "NFL-ready" technique. Despite some of the knocks he received in his draft analysis, he was projected as a day one starter, something that is becoming closer to being a reality. In the Bears' second preseason game against Cincinnati, Jones played 26 pass-blocking snaps, and didn't allow a single quarterback pressure. He plays with the ability and poise of a much older player, and Garrett Bradbury better watch out.
Following Drew Dahlman's shocking retirement announcement after last season, the Bears made a quick move to acquire veteran center Garrett Bradbury from the New England Patriots, sending a fifth-round pick to them to get the deal done. Bradbury has a wealth of starting experience with over 100 career starts, but if Jones continues playing at such a high level in the preseason, he might force the organization to leave him on the field. No decision has been made about whether it will be Bradbury or Jones, but the Bears have two solid starting options. If they elect to go with the veteran Bradbury, it is only a matter of time before Jones takes over, because Bradbury is on the final year of his deal.
If the Bears elect to start Jones, they will have him on a rookie deal for at least the next four years- giving them cap flexibility that they can use in other areas. Of course we want Jones to start from day one, but being a starting offensive linemen, especially a center, in the NFL isn't an easy task, and if he isn't ready, the Bears don't need to force him into the lineup. The Bears have championship aspirations after a stellar 2025-2026 season, and Jones is pushing hard to be the starting center sooner rather than later.
Add us as a preferred source on Google