It's all but set in stone. Even with weeks to go before the Chicago Bears enter into training camp, the left tackle position feels like it's already figured out.
With second-year pro Ozzy Trapilo likely out the majority of the 2026 season due to injury, the Bears really didn't have a choice in bringing a couple of familiar faces back in free agency. Now, it's all on the shoulders of Braxton Jones and Theo Benedet to solidify that spot.
But, if we're being honest, this is 100 percent Jones' job to lose.
And that's exactly why training camp could be the stage for Benedet's biggest moment to date.
As if making it in the NFL as an undrafted free agent wasn't enough, Benedet now has the chance to compete for the Bears' starting left tackle job. And, in a roster battle that most believe is in favor of Jones, Benedet has every opportunity to make it close.
Theo Benedet could flip the Bears training camp battle many think he's already lost
Benedet, of course, came to the Bears after not hearing his name called in the 2024 NFL Draft. He became a fan favorite during HBO's Hard Knocks as former head coach Matt Eberflus dubbed him the "Canadian Eagle."
After hanging around on the practice squad for his rookie season, Benedet made the roster in 2025 as a backup. It didn't take long for him to wind up starting eight games as a swing tackle.
Following a quad injury in November, Benedet was relegated back to being a reserve once Trapilo took over the left tackle role on a full-time basis. But, when Trapilo suffered a season-ending knee injury in the playoff win over the Packers, it would prompt quite the unknown at the position going forward.
Now as he enters another training camp, Benedet is one of two realistic options for the Bears at left tackle. As of right now, we're not counting Jedrick Wills as having a legitimate chance at the job.
Jones has had a strong offseason thus far and looks to be back to his old self, prior to the 2024 ankle injury. From a larger perspective, that's great for the Bears. From Benedet's point of view, though, it means he's got an uphill battle ahead of him.
Jones has started 44 games in the NFL to Benedet's eight. Jones has performed well as a starting left tackle before, and as we know in many cases, the best predictor of future success is past success.
Benedet is being given almost no shot at winning this job, which is why training camp could prove to be such a pivotal point in his young career.
What happens if Benedet comes out and has the camp of his life? That suddenly creates a good problem for the Bears.
We've touched on Jones having done it before, but Benedet has looked very good at times, too. His agility in being able to get out and block in space, for outside zone runs, has looked strong in spurts.
Last season, Benedet had a Pro Football Focus grade of over 60.0 in seven games which he played double-digit snaps. That's more than serviceable. In four of those games, his pass blocking was graded over 70.0, which is very strong.
We know he can do it, and the truth is, Benedet is still developing as an NFL player. He's worn a couple different hats, playing at both tackle positions, and had a much higher learning curve as a player who failed to get drafted.
Read more: Bears fans better be ready to see a different Caleb Williams in 2026
Can Benedet come out in camp and make this a harder decision than anyone might think? The countdown is on.
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