Injuries haven't hit the Chicago Bears as hard as in the past, but it appears they will not have Braxton Jones back for the rest of the season after his knee injury earlier in the season.
The Chicago Tribune's Brad Biggs reported that Jones underwent knee surgery and will not come off IR in 2026. Jones had started three games this season at left tackle, with Theo Benedet taking over after him.
#Bears LT Braxton Jones will not return from IR this season. He underwent right knee surgery on Tuesday.
— Brad Biggs (@BradBiggs) November 4, 2026
'I was really encouraged with his play. It was a big loss.'https://t.co/apoRcYTGaO
Benedet has been the starter at the position for the last five games. With Jones out of the picture, it now feels like Benedet's job is to lose, even as Ozzy Trapilo ramps up.
Theo Benedet now has one less pair of eyes overlooking his shoulders at Bears LT
It's been an interesting year for Benedet since he took over as the team's left tackle. While some people were concerned about him taking on the job, he's actually done a good job.
In 226 pass-blocking snaps, Benedet has allowed 16 pressures, three quarterback hits, and one sack. He has been called on for four penalties since taking over.
Pro Football Focus ranks him as the 26th-best offensive tackle in the NFL among 69 eligible players, with a grade of 70.5. He also has a pass-blocking grade of 65.1 (ranked 47th) and a run-blocking grade of 75.2 (ranked 14th).
Benedet's pass protection is still a work in progress; he continues to prove he is one of the best run-blocking tackles in the NFL. He has improved as a pass protector compared to last year, when he recorded 13 total pressures, two quarterback hits, and one sack in 189 pass-blocking snaps. Benedet is pacing to do a bit better than in 2025.
Will Ozzy Trapilo factor into Theo Benedet's time as Bears' LT in 2026?
Everyone in Chicago is wondering about the latest on Trapilo and whether he will be back as the starter at left tackle soon enough. He's gotten minimal snaps since returning from his late-season injury last year, and those have been mixed at best.
In 21 pass-blocking snaps, Trapilo has allowed three pressures and one sack. He has an overall PFF grade of 58.4.
It's been clear that, despite Trapilo being healthier, he hasn't been quite himself. That has recently led the Bears to stick with Benedet at left tackle, as he got all the snaps at the position in the Bears' 34-17 Week 8 win over the Seattle Seahawks.
Benedet hasn't been perfect at the position, but he is playing well enough right now to hold on to the job. A lot can change in the future, but there seems to be a lot of confidence in him, and the Bears aren't concerned about the offensive line. This group has allowed 19 sacks and helped the running game average 150.7 yards per game.
The only concern right now is the shoulder injury he suffered in the win over the Seahawks. For now, it doesn't seem serious, so the hope is that he can still play in Week 9 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. If not, then Trapilo will be forced into action.
One observation from the Bears' locker room. I saw Theo Benedet leave with a Bears staff member before the media was allowed into the locker room.
— Nicholas Moreano (@NicholasMoreano) November 3, 2026
When he came back, he sat at his locker, looking disappointed. As I was getting ready to record an interview, I heard him say…
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Chicago has an offensive line that's pretty much perfect now, so there's no reason to mess with it. Benedet can run with the job if he keeps showing progress over the next few weeks.
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