The Chicago Bears have been making waves with two trades for offensive linemen in as many days. First, the Bears struck a deal for Los Angeles Rams guard Jonah Jackson, sending a 2025 sixth-round pick in the other direction. Next, the team sent a 2026 fourth-round pick to Kansas City in exchange for Joe Thuney.
While the clear winner of those trades are the Chicago Bears, and perhaps more specifically Caleb Williams, the San Francisco 49ers have benefitted too.
Chicago Bears Trade For Jonah Jackson, Joe Thuney
On Tuesday, March 4th, it was reported that the Chicago Bears had reached an agreement with the Los Angeles Rams to acquire offensive lineman, Jonah Jackson. The Bears sent a 2025 sixth-round pick to the Rams and will take on the remaining two years of Jackson’s contract.
Jackson is slated to earn $17.5 million in 2025 and a further $17 million in 2026. He spent one year in L.A. after spending four seasons in Detroit, making one Pro Bowl.
Jonah Jackson is scheduled to make $17.5 million in salary this season, and the Bears are taking on his contract, per source. Rams don’t retain any of Jackson’s salary. https://t.co/N1SVnXXoDm
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 4, 2025
Then, on March 5th, the Bears followed that trade up by agreeing on a deal for Pro-Bowl guard Joe Thuney from the Kansas City Chiefs. Scheduled for free agency in 2026, the Bears will take on Thuney’s $16 million 2025 salary. Whether or not the team plans to extend Thuney’s contract is unclear.
Drafted by the New England Patriots in 2016, Thuney spent five years at New England before earning three Pro Bowl nods in four years with the Chiefs.
In 24 hours, the Bears now have agreed to trade a 2025 sixth-round pick to the Rams for Jonah Jackson and a 2026 fourth-round pick to the Chiefs for Joe Thuney.
Bears are sparing no expense to protect Caleb Williams. pic.twitter.com/IW1OLfdfVJ
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 5, 2025
New Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson relied heavily on a top offensive line while calling plays for the Detroit Lions. If these two trades are anything to go by, the importance of that offensive line was not lost on Johnson.
San Francisco 49ers to Benefit From Bears Trades
With the Bears slated to pick one spot ahead of the 49ers in the 2025 draft, and both teams in need of offensive line help, the 49ers were in a difficult position. Will Campbell, the offensive tackle from LSU, will be long gone by the time the Bears pick at number 10 overall. But Chicago might end up with their pick of offensive linemen after that, leaving the 49ers with their second choice.
With the Bears trading for two veteran offensive linemen before free agency, there is a far greater chance that the team will look to address a different need in round one of the draft. If that’s the case, the 49ers could have their pick of offensive line prospects to help Brock Purdy, who is expected to sign a massive contract extension before the 2025 season.
Good news: With the Bears trading for TWO OL, this means they may take another position at pick 10, allowing an OL to fall to 49ers at pick 11 đź‘€
— 49ers & NFL News 24/7 (@49ersSportsTalk) March 5, 2025
According to PFSN’s Seven-Round Mock Draft, that prospect should be Armand Membou, an exceptional athlete out of Missouri.
“Those who have watched Missouri over the years know that Armand Membou has always been a physical specimen. His length, agility, and power have been apparent throughout his time in college. It was in 2024, though, that his technique took a big leap to match his physical tools.”
With Deebo Samuel heading to the Washington Commanders and rumors that Brandon Aiyuk may also be available for a trade, the slow offensive rebuild in San Francisco continues.