The Chicago Bears' 2025 draft class looked promising going into the season, but it was also fair to assume it would take time for them to make a noticeable impact in Year 1, if they did
By the end of the regular season, and going back several weeks in some cases, Colston Loveland, Luther Burden, Ozzy Trapilo, and Kyle Monangai were playing key roles. The individual circumstances that led to each emerging were different, but the Bears seem to have four players who will shape the future core of their offense.
Ben Cooper of Pro Football Focus has named his most impactful rookie for each NFL team during the 2025 regular season. To his credit, he didn't just take the low-hanging, buzziest fruit when it came to the Bears, as he went with Trapilo.
"Tight end Colston Loveland and wide receiver Luther Burden III came on strong to close out the Bears’ 2025 regular season, leading the team with 597 and 481 receiving yards, respectively, since Week 9. But as good as they were, Trapilo provided arguably even more value."
The Bears may have their answer at left tackle for years to come
With Braxton Jones on IR and Theo Benedet out, Trapilo was pressed into duty at left tackle for the Bears in Week 12 against the Pittsburgh Steelers. He answered the call in fantastic fashion, while showing the "always be ready" mentality coaches love to see.
In naming him the Bears' most impactful rookie, Cooper naturally highlighted the work Trapilo has done protecting Caleb Williams' blindside over the last several weeks. He has also allowed just two sacks over those six starts, both against the Cleveland Browns in Week 15.
"Since he became a starter at left tackle in Week 12, the second-rounder allowed just 13 quarterback pressures. His 77.7 PFF pass-blocking grade over the span was better than all but that of Chiefs first-rounder Josh Simmons. That helped quarterback Caleb Williams work from a clean pocket 64.8% of the time during that stretch — the 13th-best rate in the NFL."
Small sample sizes are dangerous to put significant value in, and heading into the playoffs, Trapilo's sample sits at 418 snaps as the Bears' starting left tackle. Continuing his recent playoff performance will be important for the team and himself.
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The overhaul of the Bears' offensive line will not be complete until a mainstay at left tackle is found. Trapilo has seized the opportunity, however, it suddenly landed in his lap, to assert himself as that guy as his rookie season winds down. And with that, what at one point looked to be a top offseason need has (at minimum) become significantly less so.