OCTOBER 3: The Bears placed Jones on IR on Saturday. He’ll miss at least four games. Johnson also announced that Benedet will start on Sunday, delaying Trapilo’s 2026 debut for at least another week.
“We’re still working out Ozzy just to make sure that the confidence is back,” Johnson said (via CHGO Sports’ Adam Jahns). “He’s looking better each and every week. Like I said, he was one of those guys in Wednesday night’s practice in pads that he stood out in a good way. I think he’s going the right way and he might be available sooner rather than later. It’s not going to be this week.”
OCTOBER 1: The Bears have been rotating starter Braxton Jones and backup Theo Benedet at left tackle to start the season, but the latter may have to take on the full-time role in Week 4.
Head coach Ben Johnson said (via ESPN’s Courtney Cronin) Jones was week-to-week with a knee injury that sidelined him from the last two days of practice. That would likely position Benedet to start on Sunday, but Ozzy Trapilo could also make his return from the torn patellar tendon he suffered in January.
“I don’t know if this will be the week or not,” Johnson said, but noted that Trapilo was “close.”
The second-year tackle has made an impressive recovery. He was activated off the active/physically unable to perform list in mid-August, just eight months after he suffered his knee injury. He was not placed on injured reserve to start the regular season, ensuring that he was available to practice in the first four weeks and leaving the door open to a debut in that period.
Trapilo progressed to full practice participation by the end of Week 2 and has not been listed on the injury report since. He has not dressed for a game, however, indicating he still has milestones to hit before playing in a game.
Johnson’s willingness to rotate his left tackles offers a natural path to Trapilo’s return. Benedet, who started eight games on the blind side last year, could move into Jones’ role with Trapilo taking on rotational snaps throughout the game as he physically adjusts to being back on the field. This would also allow Jones to sit out for at least one week to allow his knee to heal before Chicago addresses a potential left tackle logjam later this month.
The Bears could be the rare NFL team to have the option of dealing from offensive line strength when the trade deadline approaches. If Trapilo comes back strong and continues to profile as the team’s long-term left tackle, Jones, who is on a one-year contract, could be a trade candidate.
Chicago could also consider trading veteran center Garrett Bradbury if they feel second-round rookie Logan Jones is ready to take over a starting job. Baltimore just lost both of their centers to long-term injuries with rookie guard Vega Ioane set to step in for the time being. The Ravens previously reached out to the Bears regarding Bradbury this offseason, per Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic. The Bears were not interested at the time, but development from Jones could change their mind – for the right price.
