The Bears decision to trade a fourth-round pick to the Chiefs for Joe Thuney this offseason was universally loved by analysts and fans alike. Their decision to trade a sixth-round selection to the Rams for Jonah Jackson was much more polarizing.
The moves were made only one day apart, with them striking a deal for Jackson on March 4 and the Thuney deal being announced the following day. The latter was seen as a wise investment in a proven asset at a cost-effective price. Opinions were all over the map on the former. Some saw it as a quality, low-risk, high-reward trade for a starting-caliber guard. Meanwhile, others thought they were bailing the Rams out on a wasted big-ticket free agent signing.
There were valid reasons to believe both sides of the argument could be true. After all, Jackson only started four games in Los Angeles after signing a three-year, $51 million deal in the ’24 offseason.
To put it bluntly, his one-year stint in LA was a complete disaster. He was in dire need of a change of scenery. Meanwhile, the Bears had just hired the offensive coordinator who coached Jackson during his lone Pro Bowl season, Ben Johnson, to be their head coach. Chicago, which desperately needed to retool their offensive line, provided the perfect opportunity for a reset.
Some thought they might’ve been able to get Jackson for free if the Rams cut bait. Johnson didn’t want to risk getting in a bidding war and losing the 28-year-old on the open market, though. He knew what they were getting in the 2022 Pro Bowler, and he knew that player was well worth a lowly sixth-round selection.
“The guy [Jackson] is a Pro Bowl caliber guard, so, that’s what we’re going to get out of him,” Johnson said while addressing the media for the first time after the trades was announced
.
Johnson and the Bears were so high on Jackson that the Bears actually tacked on another year to the end of his deal before the season began. He will be in Chicago through (at least) the 2027 season.
It’s safe to say that Jackson has made Johnson and the Bears’ front office look like geniuses for being bullish on him. He’s more than held his own at the right guard spot on Chicago’s rebuilt offensive line.
Jackson has really found his footing in recent weeks, finishing with PFF grades of 91.1 and 87.7 in the Bears’ wins over Cincinnati and New York. He seems to have returned to Pro Bowl form in his first season in the Windy City.
The Cincinnati Bengals have been without superstar quarterback Joe Burrow since September 14th, 2025. Burrow suffered a Grade 3 turf toe injury that day against the Jacksonville Jaguars. This led to Burrow being moved to the injured reserve list.
On Monday, November 10th, the signal caller returned to practice in a limited capacity. This started the 21-day window for the Bengals to decide if he can return to action this season whatsoever.
GettyEAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – OCTOBER 13: Joe Burrow #9 of the Cincinnati Bengals reacts with Ja’Marr Chase #1 of the Cincinnati Bengals during the first half against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium on October 13, 2024 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
NFL on CBS Sports’ John Breech chimed in on the matter of the timing of Burrow’s potential return to the football field. He mentions the Bengals’ Thanksgiving Day matchup in Week 13 against the Baltimore Ravens:
“This is the game you should circle on your calendar, because this is the game Burrow appears to be targeting for a possible return. This AFC North showdown is being played on Thanksgiving (Nov. 27) and based on what Burrow had to say on Monday, he would really like to be on the field. The Bengals QB gave a one-word answer when asked how meaningful it would be for him to return against the Ravens in this prime time game.
‘Very,’ Burrow said.”
NFL on CBS Sports’ John Breech on Joe Burrow potentially returning on Thanksgiving Day against the Baltimore Ravens
Joe Burrow returning against the Baltimore Ravens would obviously be a huge deal. It’s hard to disagree with Breech’s sentiment about it being “must-see TV” if this is the case. A Thanksgiving Day AFC North showdown between Lamar Jackson and Joe Burrow has all the ingredients to be absolutely electric.
GettyJoe Burrow #9 of the Cincinnati Bengals celebrates a touchdown with Ja’Marr Chase #1 and Tee Higgins #5 against the New York Giants.
Breech brings up another possible return date if Burrow’s toe isn’t ready for a Thanksgiving meal with their heated-rival Baltimore Ravens:
“If Burrow isn’t feeling comfortable enough to return in Week 13 against the Ravens, he could hold off one week and return against the Bills on Dec. 7. In this instance, the Bengals could use their full 21-day practice window and then activate Burrow on Dec. 1, which would be the week of this game.”
This would also make sense. If the toe isn’t ready to go, a mini-bye week to get to Week 14 could very much be utilized for Burrow’s recovery. He will be returning in a major spot either way. A return against Lamar Jackson or Josh Allen during the playoff push is quite the time to make a return.
The Bengals have to stay afloat regardless if they want it to matter if Burrow returns. Burrow himself commented on this:
“Our division is wide open. Pittsburgh is 5-4 and we play them this week. Everything is still there in front of us. It’s very rare that our division looks like this, but it does this year. And so I think we’ll be at least in it until the end.”
Joe Burrow on the Bengals staying alive in the playoff race until his return