The Chicago Bears are of the mindset that, after the 2024 nightmare, there is no such thing as having too many quality offensive linemen. This may have explained the decision to use a second-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft on another offensive tackle in Ozzy Trapilo.
While new additions like Joe Thuney and Drew Dalman have helped Caleb Williams take a step forward, the revolving door of players at left tackle has been the one sore spot on this line. Braxton Jones has been hurt, Theo Benedet has just been bad, and Kiran Amegadjie is on injured reserve.
Trapilo has been a starter in the last two Bears games, both of which have been wins. The latest updates from head coach Ben Johnson is making it seem as though the Bears are ready to finally give Trapilo all the rope he needs to eventually become a key part of their future.
Johnson said that he is always going to "play the guy that gives us the best chance to win the ballgame" and added that Trapilo is an ascending player that this coaching staff believes in. The training wheels are coming off.
Ben Johnson on the Bears' shift to Ozzy Trapilo at left tackle: "We're always going to play the guy that gives us the best chance to win the ballgame. And so that's where it starts. I think he's an ascending player. He's still developing, and he's going to continue to get better…
— Chris Emma (@CEmma670) December 2, 2025
Bears leaning into Ozzy Trapilo experience at left tackle
Trapilo had primarily made his name as a right tackle at Boston College, but Darnell Wright is holding down the fort there. If Trapilo is to stay at right tackle forever, Poles will have used a Top 60 pick on a backup tackle. The move makes sense for both the player and the team.
Trapilo is one of the tallest offensive linemen in the league at 6-8, and he moves incredibly well for that size. When playing in front of a quarterback who can extend plays and create on the move, like Williams, being able to move well is imperative to success.
The Bears need to lock in during their last five games if they are to secure a home playoff game. With two duels against Micah Parsons and the Green Bay Packers coming up in the schedule, as well as a 9-4 San Francisco 49ers team, Johnson is throwing Trapilo into the deep end of the pool.
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If Trapilo lives up to the hype he had as a Draft Twitter darling, Williams may have his offensive line locked in. Should he prove to be one of the many linemen not capable of making the swap over to the left side, the Bears will need to spend resources fixing that hole in the offseason.