Logan Jones arrived in Chicago with a reputation built on dominance at Iowa, where he earned the Rimington Trophy as the nation’s top center and helped the Hawkeyes secure a Big Ten title. The Chicago Bears selected him in the second round of the 2026 NFL Draft, viewing him as the immediate successor to Drew Dalman, whose abrupt retirement left a vacancy at the heart of the offensive line.
A Battle for the Starting Spot
The competition intensified during training camp, where Jones found himself matched against veteran Garrett Bradbury, a player with extensive NFL experience. Head coach Ben Johnson has made it clear that the starting center role will be earned through performance, forcing both players to demonstrate consistency in drills and scrimmages.
Jones is not alone in his quest for playing time; he will share the line with fellow Iowa product Tyler Linderbaum, whose own rise to the NFL has been closely followed by fans and analysts alike. The two former Hawkeyes hope to recreate the chemistry that helped their college team thrive, now translated into a professional setting.
Preseason Preview
The Bears open their preseason schedule on August 15 against the Cleveland Browns, a game that will be streamed on the NFL Network at noon Central Time. Iowa fans across the United States will be able to watch Jones make his first live NFL appearance, a moment that could set the tone for his rookie campaign.
Beyond the Bears, the draft class of 2026 is under a national spotlight, with ten rookies featured in a CBS Sports special highlighting the most compelling storylines from training camps. For Jones, the stakes are personal; he aims to prove that the confidence placed in him by the organization was justified after the Baltimore Ravens missed out on his services.