Former Detroit Lions offensive lineman Jonah Jackson is surprisingly returning to the NFC North for the 2025 season. On Tuesday, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that the Los Angeles Rams are trading the veteran offensive lineman to the Chicago Bears in exchange for a 2025 sixth-round pick.
Trade: Rams are in the process of sending veteran offensive lineman Jonah Jackson to the Chicago Bears in exchange for a 2025 sixth-round pick, per ESPN’s @CourtneyRCronin. The trade cannot be processed until March 12. pic.twitter.com/lj3M8VW5V8
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 4, 2025
The 28-year-old Jackson signed a massive three-year, $51 million deal last offseason with the Rams after spending the first four years with the Detroit Lions.
Jackson only appeared in four games with the Rams this past season due to a shoulder injury that forced him to go on injured reserve. The veteran lineman returned from injured reserve in Week 10 but did not play in the Rams’ seven of their last eight games.
A return to the NFC North allows Jackson to start with the Bears, but also, he reunites with Ben Johnson, the new head coach in the Windy City.
The Bears are taking on Jonah Jackson's contract as is—he's due $9 million in fully-guaranteed base salary for 2025, then $17 million (non-guaranteed) in 2026. Rams wound up paying him $25 million for the single year, take the sunk cost now.
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) March 4, 2025
Jackson's reunited with Ben Johnson. https://t.co/PGpIWUtUlx
Johnson, who was with the Lions starting as an offensive quality control coach in 2019, had a chance to work with Jackson for four years in the Motor City. Jackson was drafted in the third round of the 2020 NFL Draft.
Jackson predominantly played left guard with the Lions and became a Pro Bowl player in 2021, his second year in the league. When the former third-round pick left in free agency last year to join the Rams, the Lions replaced him with Graham Glasgow at left guard.
Glasgow wrapped up his second year with the Lions after initially joining the team in 2023 after getting released by the Denver Broncos. The 32-year-old offensive lineman didn’t have his best season, posting a pedestrian pass block (56.2 – ranked 88th among 135 qualified guards) and run block grades (57.8 – ranked 90th).
Nonetheless, Lions fans will look to see how Jackson plays with Johnson, as they’ll see him twice next season.