Bears head coach Ben Johnson stuck with incumbent starter Braxton Jones at left tackle following a months-long competition with Ozzy Trapilo and Theo Benedet.
In February, Johnson cited upgrades on the offensive line as a critical foundation stone he planned to have in place by the time the Bears opened the regular season. The acquisition of big-ticket free agent center Drew Dalman and trades for veteran guards Joe Thuney (Chiefs) and Jonah Jackson (Rams) set the Bears up with three new starters.
Jones’ position was considered open as he recovered from a fractured left ankle that required surgery in December.
But Johnson said at the annual NFL spring meetings in April that the Bears also challenged Jones to add weight. Johnson’s assessment of Jones was that he has the light feet for the position, ideal for his primary job of protecting quarterback Caleb Williams, but not enough mass to move bodies in the running game.
Jones, a fifth-round pick in 2022 who has played in 40 career games, and right tackle Darnell Wright will keep their jobs as the starting tackles, at least to begin the regular season.
Trapilo, the 56th overall pick in April who played at GM Ryan Poles’ alma mater (Boston College), is slotted as the “swing tackle” for the Bears to begin the season.
He started 36 games at Boston College and spent the previous two seasons at right tackle (2023, 2024) after starting at left tackle in 2022.
–Field Level Media
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