With their lone second round pick in the 2026 NFL, the Chicago Bears drafted Iowa offensive lineman Logan Jones, looking to find their long-term answer at center.
The center spot became an urgent position of need for the Bears following the sudden retirement of veteran Drew Dalman this offseason, and even after trading for Garrett Bradbury, Chicago recognized the need for long-term stability at the position.
One of the best traits for Jones coming out of college was his reliability and durability, as he took over for NFL standout Tyler Linderbaum once he left Iowa, and he capped off his career by winning the Rimmington Trophy as the nation's top center. Coming out of one of the more prestigious schools in the Big 10 Conference, Jones said he felt his time with the Hawkeyes prepared him for life at the NFL level.
2026 NFL Draft: Bears select Dillon Thieneman in first round (No. 25)2026 NFL Draft: Bears select Logan Jones2026 NFL Draft: Bears select Sam Roush2026 NFL Draft: Bears select Zavion Thomas2026 NFL Draft: Bears select CB Malik Muhammad2026 NFL Draft: Bears select Keyshaun Elliott2026 NFL Draft: Bears select Jordan van den Berg1 / 7Breakdown and analysis of new Bears rookie Dillon Thieneman2026 NFL Draft: Bears select Dillon Thieneman in first round (No. 25)1 / 7Breakdown and analysis of new Bears rookie Dillon Thieneman2026 NFL Draft: Bears select Dillon Thieneman in first round (No. 25)2 / 7Analysis, grades for Chicago Bears' 2026 draft picks2026 NFL Draft: Bears select Logan Jones3 / 7Analysis, grades for Chicago Bears' 2026 draft picks2026 NFL Draft: Bears select Sam Roush4 / 7Analysis, grades for Chicago Bears' 2026 draft picks2026 NFL Draft: Bears select Zavion Thomas5 / 7Analysis, grades for Chicago Bears' 2026 draft picks2026 NFL Draft: Bears select CB Malik Muhammad6 / 7Analysis, grades for Chicago Bears' 2026 draft picks2026 NFL Draft: Bears select Keyshaun Elliott7 / 7Analysis, grades for Chicago Bears' 2026 draft picks2026 NFL Draft: Bears select Jordan van den Berg"(Iowa Head) Coach (Kirk) Ferentz and (Iowa Offensive Line) Coach (George) Barnett, they prioritize offensive line play," Jones said. "Coach Ferentz, he's coached offense line for a long time and really thinks that's important. You look at the guys that have come through there and I was fortunate to be able to play there. I just think the way they go about their business, it's like an NFL organization and Coach Ferentz coached in the NFL too. I think that's where you got it from, but just very professional in your approach towards everything you do and the way you practice. It was never as much about the on the field stuff, but the off the field stuff, how you handle your business and your approach."
Getting a masterclass in professionalism both on and off the field at Iowa, Jones should come into Chicago with a very mature background and understanding of what's in front of him for his rookie season. There were several draft experts who praised the Bears for their selection of Jones, believing that he could contend for a starting job in his first season in the NFL, a move that would be pretty substantial in Ben Johnson's offense.
Follow Bears Wire on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram
This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Bears' Logan Jones explains how Iowa career prepared him for the NFL