Last year, the Chicago Bears had a position battle at left tackle between Braxton Jones and Theo Benedet.
Entering training camp this year, it was going to be a little different. With Ozzy Trapilo hurt and still recovering, the Bears had a position battle between Jones, Kiran Amegadjie, and Jedrick Wills Jr. It looks like they'll abandon that plan.
Bears head coach Ben Johnson told the media that Jones will be with the first team getting reps, but Benedet will be behind him on the depth chart. It appears as though Amegadjie and Wills will be moving to the right side of the offensive line.
Déjà Vu has arrived with Bears going with Braxton Jones & Theo Benedet at left tackle again
Ah, gotta love to go back to the classics. The Bears have made it clear what they want at left tackle; it is a clear sign.
Amegadjie and Wills didn't exactly light the world on fire with their preseason performance in the 34-10 win over the Cleveland Browns. Wills especially had a bad day, allowing an ugly sack that nearly took his quarterback, Tyson Bagent's, head right off.
This is similar to what happened last year, when Benedet came into the position battle late. He ultimately lost the job to Jones, but Jones was replaced by Benedet after Week 4.
While Johnson is saying the left tackle job is wide open, it doesn't feel that way. It feels as though this is Jones' job to lose. Jones missed the last week-plus of practice, as he was injured, but has since come back.
As for how Trapilo fits into the situation now that he is active again, Johnson said the second-year lineman is on his own schedule and will work his way back. The Bears aren't going to rush Trapilo, so he likely won't be ready for Week 1.
It all comes down to what happens between Jones and Benedet for the job. Jones is the better overall lineman, but Benedet has proven to be a very good run blocker for the Bears.
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There are two more weeks to get this job figured out between Jones and Benedet, and there is no clearer answer to who is going to take it and run with it. The Bears will have to wait and see how things going in the next two preseason games.
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