Ben Johnson says little (but says it all) about who Bears' starting LT will be

When asked about the situation at a position that was a bye week talking point, Ben Johnson said it all by saying so little.
Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images

Going into their Week 5 bye, the rest of the season outlook at left tackle was an easy topic of conversation around the Chicago Bears. A significant change appeared to be more than a Week 4 flash, but head coach Ben Johnson was not ready to declare anything without a game to prepare for when he met virtually with reporters as the week off got going.

"I feel like we’ve got to go through this process and just figure out what’s best for us and our team going forward here,” Johnson said, via Michal Dwojak of Shaw Local. “I’ve got a lot of faith in the guys in that room. We’ve got some talented individuals and I really believe in the coaching staff in that room, as well. We’re only scratching the surface of what we’re capable of.”

The Bears returned to the practice field on Tuesday, and Johnson spoke to the media.

Ben Johnson says it all by saying little about the Bears' left tackle situation

Johnson was asked if had anything to reveal regarding the offensive line, and more specifically who the left tackle is going to be.

"We have a good idea who our left tackle's gonna be", Johnson said.

Dan Wiederer of The Athletic perfectly described Johnson's expression as he gave that brief answer, while noting the plant at right tackle if Darnell Wright remains out after missing Week 4 with an elbow injury.

Indeed, after he acquitted himself nicely when he moved to Caleb Williams' blindside after starting Week 4 at right tackle in place of Wright, all signs point to Theo Benedet being the Bears' starting left tackle until further notice.

Johnson seemed to name Braxton Jones the Bears' starting left tackle going into the season by default, since he was the incumbent and he was healthy after the ankle injury that ended his 2024 season early.

Johnson also said the left tackle position would be subject to continuing evaluation during the season. Jones performing as poorly as he did in three of the first four games sealed the deal for him to be replaced, whenever the time was right.

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The mid-game benching of Jones in Week 4 against the Raiders now looks like a trial run to see if Benedet was up to the task at left tackle. Since he was, and the bye week offered time to evaluate fully, it looks like Jones is not getting back in the starting lineup anytime soon without an injury.

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