Bears' update on Ozzy Trapilo might finally give offense much-needed relief

The Chicago Bears have faced some unforeseen complications on the offensive line, but the latest Ozzy Trapilo update might help them soon.

Trapilo's replacement, Braxton Jones, got hurt during the Bears' 27-7 Week 3 win over the Philadelphia Eagles. Theo Benedet replaced him for the rest of the game and could be in line for his first start at left tackle in 2026 in Week 4 against the New York Jets.

Bears head coach Ben Johnson announced that Jones is week-to-week with a knee injury and did not practice. As for Trapilo, there are signs he could be in line to play soon and finally give Chicago stability at left tackle.

Ozzy Trapilo is one step closer to helping Bears' offensive line woes out

Johnson also gave an update on Trapilo, which looks positive, and said he is very close to returning to the field. ESPN Bears reporter Courtney Cronin shared what Johnson said in his press conference.

"Some uncertainty about whether Ozzy Trapilo will play vs. the Jets. 'I don't know if this will be the week or not,' Johnson said, stressing that Trapilo is 'close.'"

The Bears released their first Week 4 injury report, and it was good news for Trapilo. That's because it was the first time all year he didn't show up on it. Jones did not practice for the Bears.

It feels as though Johnson is more cautious about the left tackle position than the quarterback position for Week 4. He doesn't want to risk rushing Trapilo out there too soon if he is one, not 100% ready to go, but t play him in a game where they could realistically win without him against a lower team in the Jets.

For now, Benedet is in line to start at left tackle, which may not be a bad thing since he's improved this season. His biggest problem over the past year is pass blocking, and he struggles there. On the flip side, he is as good a run blocker as there is on the team.

Pro Football Focus graded Benedet out at a 65.3 overall, ranking him 35th out of 70 eligible tackles. He also earned a pass-blocking grade of 54.5 (60th out of 70) and a run-blocking grade of 67.8 (ranking 27th).

If the Bears needed to give Trapilo one more week, it might be okay since they have Benedet, who can hold his own for the Jets. For Chicago's Week 5 game against the Green Bay Packers, though, that's a different story.

The Bears can't afford to mess around in that game, especially since there's a slim chance Caleb Williams could return from his hamstring injury and play. That would mean Chicago's offensive line needs to be in tip-top shape, putting Trapilo in line to at least return that game. He will be needed for it no matter who the quarterback is.

Read more: Malik Muhammad is loudly proving he's the future in Bears' secondary

There is a sense of relief in the offense that they will finally have their starting left tackle back within the next two weeks. Once Williams is back, this Bears team looks poised to return to the postseason and compete for a Super Bowl.

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