Bears Rookie Controls His Own Playing Time This Season

TL;DR

The Chicago Bears' rookie players are taking charge of their playing time this season, indicating a focus on future development. Key contracts are expiring soon, prompting strategic decisions for the franchise.

Key points

Bears rookies are managing their own playing time.
Franchise is focused on future development.
Several key player contracts are expiring soon.

Chicago Bears

Bears Rookie Controls His Own Playing Time This Season

If you look at a lot of the Chicago Bears' picks in the 2026 NFL Draft, it's clear that the franchise is preparing for the future.

Big decisions are coming up in the near future. Tight end Cole Kmet, linebacker T.J. Edwards, linebacker Noah Sewell, center Garrett Bradbury, and defensive tackle Grady Jarrett are some of the contracts that are expiring in the next few years.

The Bears selected Dillon Thieneman, Logan Jones, Sam Roush, Zavion Thomas, Malik Muhammad, Keyshaun Elliott and Jordan Van Den Berg.

Jones, Roush, Muhammad, Thomas, Elliott and Van Den Berg are in position to become starters in the future if the team decides to move on from any of the aforementioned players soon.

For Jones, he is expected to be the backup center behind Bradbury.

Bradbury definitely has more NFL experience. He was a free-agent signing after Pro Bowl center Drew Dalman announced his retirement this offseason.

Bradbury last played for the New England Patriots and was very reliable. He played 1,070 offensive snaps in the 2025 regular season. He then didn't miss a single snap in the playoffs and had no penalties called on him.

Head coach Ben Johnson spoke after the first day of rookie minicamp and stated that Jones' playing time this upcoming season depends on him. He said the ball was in Jones' court when it came to how much playing time he'll get as a rookie.

"Time will tell. You know, the ball's in his court as far as I'm concerned, and he understands that just like everyone else," Johnson said. "We're looking to create competition and consistency day after day and building trust not only with Caleb [Williams] and the other quarterbacks, but within that offensive line room and then obviously with the coaching staff."

Jones has far more experience than most college prospects. He got to Iowa in 2020 and redshirted right away. He then missed the entire 2021 season with an injury.

He then started all 13 games at center in 2022 and never relinquished his starting job with the Hawkeyes.

Recent history has shown us that nothing is set in stone with this Bears' offensive line. Last season, we saw three different players start at left tackle.

Braxton Jones was the starter at the beginning of the season but was replaced by former undrafted free agent Theo Benedet. Benedet missed time due to injury late in the season and was replaced by rookie Ozzy Trapilo for one game.

Trapilo impressed the coaches and was the starting left tackle for the rest of the season.

It may seem like Bradbury is the obvious choice for this team's center in 2026, but if we've learned one thing, it's that the Bears aren't afraid to shuffle the offensive line.

How much playing Jones wants as a rookie is up to him.

Q&A

Who are the Chicago Bears rookies controlling their playing time this season?

The rookies include Dillon Thieneman, Logan Jones, Sam Roush, Zavion Thomas, Malik Muhammad, Keyshaun Elliott, and Jordan Van Den Berg.

What key contracts are expiring for the Chicago Bears in the coming years?

Contracts for tight end Cole Kmet, linebackers T.J. Edwards and Noah Sewell, center Garrett Bradbury, and defensive tackle Grady Jarrett are set to expire soon.

What is the significance of the Bears' rookie players managing their own playing time?

This approach reflects the franchise's commitment to developing young talent and preparing for future team dynamics.