For the second straight training camp, the Chicago Bears are trying to figure out who their starting left tackle will be. The earlier-than-expected return of Ozzy Trapilo to practice after a torn patellar tendon in last year's playoffs makes him an option at some point.
Otherwise, things seem to have narrowed to Braxton Jones, the ongoing favorite to start Week 1, and Theo Benedet in the camp battle.
Whoever the Bears' left tackle is, in Week 1 or further down the road this season, will be automatically elevated by the presence of Joe Thuney at left guard.
The day after the Bears' preseason opener, Thuney was asked about the ongoing left tackle competition and its impact on him.
"Regardless of who’s in there,” Thuney said, “I try to communicate as well as I can. I try to get the run fits as consistent as I can so it feels the same for everybody. Then it’s just trying to be on the same page with what each play (calls for) and with each player there next to me.”
Thuney doesn't appear to be overly frustrated by the uncertainty next to him, as expected for such a consummate pro, as he also offered broad praise of the left tackle candidates.
Ben Johnson knows Joe Thuney (like everyone else) wants clarity at left tackle
During his press conference on Tuesday, Bears head coach Ben Johnson acknowledged how the ongoing uncertainty at left tackle might be impacting Thuney.
"I think Joe would like some clarity on who he can build a rapport with,” Johnson said. “It’s been a little bit of a revolving door. He’s a pro’s pro and he’s willing to do everything, but you want five guys playing as one. We’ll go as long as we need to to figure out who those five are, but at the same time, the sooner we can make that decision, the sooner they can jell as a unit as well. Last year it took us until the bye week before we started clicking as an offensive line and the run game came alive the way we wanted. I think he’s doing a great job. The communication is a huge piece of it.”
Asked then whether Thuney would be asked for insight or input on who the left tackle ends up being, Johnson made it clear that tape from camp and preseason games will be the only determining factor.
“The tape tells us everything we need to know.”
Read more: Ben Johnson continues to say it all by saying little about Bears' Kyler Gordon
Ultimately, even if Johnson said it for him in more direct fashion, Thuney just wants what every Bears' and follower wants. Someone needs to take the reigns of the left tackle battle between now and Week 1, even if it's ultimately only to keep the seat warm for Trapilo--whenever he's ready.
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