The Chicago Bears entered the offseason believing they had finally solved one of the most persistent problems in franchise history: offensive line stability…
Then Ozzy Trapilo went down.
The rookie left tackle’s patellar tendon injury late in the postseason didn’t just end his promising first year. It created the Bears’ most unforeseen and potentially disruptive problem heading into 2026: a full-blown left tackle dilemma.
This was never meant to be a quick fix
GettyBears Rookie LT Ozzy Trapilo
Pro Bowl center Drew Dalman, All-Pro guard Joe Thuney, Jonah Jackson and Darnell Wright formed one of the most reliable units Chicago has fielded in years, especially down the stretch when the run game became a defining identity.
“It’s great for friendships and kind of the culture of the room,” Dalman said during exit interviews. “Stability on the line is always helpful.”
Jonah Jackson echoed that statement: “I wouldn’t trade those guys for the world,” he said. “I’m glad we’re still all under contract together to get back at it.”
That stability, however, was built on the assumption that Trapilo would spend the offseason developing after a solid rookie campaign that included a midseason position switch and eventual takeover at left tackle.
Instead, he’ll spend it rehabbing a serious knee injury that general manager Ryan Poles has already described as keeping him out “deep into next year.”
That uncertainty changes everything… At least in the short term. Cause he showed enough as a rookie to establish himself as a legitimate starting-caliber left tackle once healthy, flashing the traits the organization believed it was developing.
But that reality leaves the Bears in an uncomfortable middle ground…
They’re too invested in Trapilo to abandon him. They’re too competitive to leave Caleb Williams exposed. And they’re too cap conscious to chase a splashy solution that doesn’t align with the timeline.
The best option: sign a veteran stopgap
GettyBears Rookie LT Ozzy Trapilo
That leaves the Chicago Bears with a few options to replace Ozzy Trapilo.
One would be to give Theo Benedet the first crack at the job. However, the problem is that when Trapilo went down, the Bears didn’t trust Benedet enough to keep him there. Instead, they kicked Joe Thuney outside.
The other option is for the Bears to target a competent, lower cost veteran capable of holding the fort until Trapilo is healthy.
Names like Joe Noteboom, Kelvin Beachum, D.J. Humphries or Cam Robinson fit the profile. Pairing any of them with Thuney could stabilize the position without sacrificing the interior.
Ironically, a reunion with Braxton Jones might make the most sense of all.
If Trapilo had just stayed healthy, the Bears could have entered 2026 focused on defensive upgrades and roster refinement. Instead, left tackle has become the one position that threatens the continuity they worked so hard to establish.
The rest of the line is a strength. The identity is clear. The quarterback situation is stable. But until the Bears find a credible answer on the blind side, the offseason (and potentially the start of the season) will revolve around a dilemma they never planned to face.
Bears Face Major Left Tackle Dilemma as Offseason Ramps Up