There was once again plenty of trading taking place in the early stages of the second round on Friday night, but the Chicago Bears stayed put and waited to make their first of three selections, landing Iowa center Logan Jones with the 57th overall pick.
After the sudden retirement of veteran center Drew Dalman this offseason, the Bears acquired Garrett Bradbury to take his place at the center position but needed to find a long-term fit and did that with the No. 57 pick on Friday.
Jones can come in and learn from the entire starting line of veterans, especially Bradbury, and he might just challenge for the starting job on Day 1. Jones showed plenty of durability during his time at Iowa, starting at center for four years following the departure of Tyler Linderbaum.
2026 NFL Draft: Bears select Dillon Thieneman in first round (No. 25)1 / 1How NFL experts graded the Bears' selection of Dillon Thieneman2026 NFL Draft: Bears select Dillon Thieneman in first round (No. 25)1 / 1How NFL experts graded the Bears' selection of Dillon Thieneman2026 NFL Draft: Bears select Dillon Thieneman in first round (No. 25)Jones was the Rimington Trophy winner this season and an All-American, and the Bears did not reach on another position of need and filled another big void on their roster. Here’s the top reactions from the selection of Jones by Chicago at No. 57 overall:
Logan Jones had Bear written all over him. The Bears hit a home run with an Iowa center 45 years ago when they signed should-be Hall of Famer Jay Hilgenberg. And the player who lined up to Hilgenberg's left for many years, Mark Bortz, was a former DT at Iowa like Jones.
Jones' pass protection is the reason he won the Rimington Trophy. Top-two finishes in the 3-cone and shuttle, and a 32-inch vertical that speaks to his explosiveness.Very good in pass pro can run the wide zone. #DaBears
You don’t usually go wrong by picking an Iowa OL. C Logan Jones is the newest Bear.Thoughts??
Logan Jones is an absolute mauler in the run game. This has Ben Johnson written all over it so you can't be mad at it.
Love that we invested more in the center position Bradbury was a rental but we need a center of the future. Welcome to Chicago Logan Jones🐻⬇️
— DaWindyCity Productions (@dwcprodz) April 25, 2026
On one hand, I don't like the value for Logan Jones there. But on the other hand, I've bitched for years that the #Bears don't invest at C and have to pay above market to land a guy like Dalman. Investing in OL is never a bad choice, and this is an ideal scheme fit for Jones.
YES SIR!!! One of the better overall players in the draft.
I like this pick. Logan Jones of Iowa fills a need for #Bears, who signed Garrett Bradbury in free-agency after Drew Dalman abruptly retired. Jones is athletic center who fits scheme and raises immediate question: How long will his apprenticeship last? Could compete immediately.
Logan Jones to the Bears. Like the player maybe could’ve gotten him later but long term option at center. You draft a center in the 2nd he’s your starterfastest 40 among all offensive linemen, second-best 3-cone.. #DaBears
Never a bad idea to draft a lineman from Iowa. Welcome to Chicago, Logan Jones! pic.twitter.com/1ulvx6ef89
— Barstool Chicago (@barstoolchicago) April 25, 2026
This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Bears draft Logan Jones: NFL world reacts to Chicago's pick