LAKE FOREST, IL – The Chicago Bears are heading into the 2026 season with a renewed focus on competition at left tackle, a position that saw significant upheaval last year. With Ozzy Trapilo recovering from a ruptured patellar tendon sustained in the playoffs, the team has brought back familiar faces and added a veteran presence to bolster the offensive line, a unit aiming to provide consistent protection for quarterback Caleb Williams.
General manager Ryan Poles addressed the situation Thursday, outlining the team’s strategy to create a robust competition for the starting role. “There’s a lot going on at the left tackle position,” Poles said. “We’ve got guys that played the position this year in terms of Theo [Benedet], Braxton [Jones] that you had crack at it early; he was dealing with some things. I’d like to see him get back healthy, to compete for that spot.”
The Bears have re-signed both Braxton Jones and Theo Benedet, and notably added former Cleveland Browns first-round pick Jedrick Wills Jr. To the mix. This move signals a clear intent to evaluate all options and identify the best possible player to anchor the left side of the line. For fans following the NFL offseason, the left tackle position is often a key indicator of a team’s commitment to protecting its quarterback and establishing a strong running game.
Jones, originally a fifth-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, started all 17 games as a rookie and remained the primary left tackle for the following two seasons. Although, injuries limited his availability in both 2023 (11 games) and 2024 (12 games). He finished the 2024 season with a PFF grade of 77.4, ranking among the top 20 offensive tackles in the league when healthy, before suffering a major ankle injury in December. His return on a one-year, $10 million contract, as reported earlier this month, provides a degree of stability and familiarity.
Wills, drafted 10th overall by the Browns in 2020, showed promise early in his career but has been hampered by injuries in recent seasons, playing just 13 games over the 2023 and 2024 campaigns. He opted to sit out the 2025 season to fully recover, and now arrives in Chicago with an opportunity to revitalize his career. Poles expressed confidence in the Bears’ coaching staff’s ability to unlock Wills’ potential. “With Jedrick, if you travel back to early in his career before the injury, playing at a really high level,” Poles said. “He’s a guy that we desire, Dan and Kyle to lean into. I think we have phenomenal offensive line coaches, two really good ones that do a fantastic job developing players. They’re going to lean into Jedrick, spend time with him, we think there is a connection there between our coaches and him. He’s willing to put in the work. We have an unbelievable performance staff that’s going to help him get his body right so he can compete at a high level.”
Benedet, who stepped in for Jones during the 2024 season, will also be competing for the starting role. The competition also included rookie Ozzy Trapilo, who unfortunately suffered a season-ending injury in the playoffs. Trapilo’s recovery timeline is expected to keep him sidelined for the majority of the 2026 season, creating an immediate need for a reliable left tackle.
Poles emphasized the importance of fostering competition at all positions, stating, “At the end of the day, like any position, we want competition. We want guys to rise to the level and at some point, when we get to September someone is going to take that job. I’m excited to see how that works out.” This approach reflects a broader philosophy of building depth and maximizing player performance through internal challenges.
The Bears’ offensive line has been a focal point of improvement in recent years, and a stable left tackle position is crucial to their success. The team’s ability to protect Williams and establish a consistent running game will heavily influence their overall performance in the upcoming season. The addition of Wills, coupled with the return of Jones and Benedet, provides the coaching staff with a range of options to evaluate during training camp and preseason.
Braxton Jones himself expressed enthusiasm about the opportunity to compete for his starting job, stating that remaining with the Bears, a team he’s been with for four years, felt like the best situation for his career. According to the team’s official website, Jones valued the familiarity and comfort of the existing system.
The Bears will begin their offseason program in April, providing an early opportunity for Jones, Wills, and Benedet to begin their competition. The coaching staff will closely evaluate each player’s performance, technique, and overall fit within the offensive scheme. The outcome of this competition will have significant implications for the Bears’ offensive line and their overall prospects for the 2026 season.
The next key date for the Bears is the NFL Draft, scheduled for April 25-27. While the team has addressed the left tackle position through free agency, they may still consider adding another offensive lineman to further strengthen the depth and competition on the line.
Fans can follow the Bears’ offseason updates and training camp coverage on the team’s official website, www.chicagobears.com, and on their social media channels.
