The Chicago Bears used two of their three second-round draft picks in the 2025 NFL Draft on Boston College offensive tackle Ozzy Trapilo (No. 56) and Texas A&M defensive lineman Shemar Turner (No. 62).
Through the first two games of the 2025 season, Trapilo and Turner have been healthy scratches.
Typically, second-round draft picks are players that will see the field earlier rather than later in their NFL careers, but that hasn't been the case so far for the Bears’ rookies.
What has led to Trapilo and Turner not playing on the field in 2025
For Trapilo, he started practicing at the left tackle position with the Bears, even though he had played primarily right tackle at Boston College. The Bears’ staff determined it was best for the rookie to play on the right side and made the move shortly after the first preseason game against the Miami Dolphins.
Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson elaborated on the rookie's progress during his media availability on Friday.
“He’s getting better every day,” Johnson said. “I just made a comment to the O-line coaches this morning how much better he looks in the individual and some of the run stuff that we’re doing on Wednesdays in pads. He’s really showing up. So, he’s coming along. And there will be a point this season where he’s playing for us. Is that this week or a few weeks down the road? I don’t know, but he’s preparing as if he’s ready to go.”
It's hard to say when exactly Trapilo will play after Johnson's latest comments, but if he is continuing to practice strictly at right tackle, then it doesn't seem like it would be anytime soon with Darnell Wright manning the position.
Wright has been far from perfect this season, having given up one sack and committing four penalties, but it would be unlikely that Trapilo would replace a top-10 pick in Wright. Maybe there is a scenario that involves Trapilo seeing the field as a swing tackle.
Turner's situation is different and Johnson provided details on the Bears’ defensive lineman.
“With Shemar, on the other hand, he’s a different story,” Johnson said. “He was dinged up during camp, so we didn’t get good eyes on him in terms of what he could do, or compete for a role. Now he has been healthy. He has had a few weeks to get his feet wet and we’re developing more confidence in what he can do for us on the defensive side of the ball.”
The Bears’ defensive line has failed to create consistent pressure against the Vikings and Lions. If Turner can provide a boost to that unit, he needs to be given an opportunity soon.
Read more: Dennis Allen must do one thing right now to possibly change the Bears' struggles
Trapilo and Turner were selected as high draft picks for a reason, and maybe a youth movement is what the Bears need to help get their first win of the 2025 NFL season.