The Chicago Bears are likely to be in the market for an experienced left tackle during the 2026 NFL offseason after a long-term injury to rookie Ozzy Trapilo, but could they sign their new starter away from the Green Bay Packers?
The Bears currently project to start the 2026 league year about $4.3 million over the cap and won’t have the spending power that top-10 cap space has afforded them in recent offseasons, but they have several cut and restructure options that could free up enough space for them to make a splashy move or two during March’s free agency.
For example, the Bears could restructure the contracts of cornerback Jaylon Johnson, center Drew Dalman and tight end Cole Kmet to potentially free up millions more.
While the Bears should clear enough space to have some spending power, though, it is unclear which positions they will prioritize. They have glaring defensive line needs and will see both of their starting safeties, Kevin Byard III and Jaquan Brisker, become free agents without new contracts, but the left tackle position could also use more talent.
Given that latter need, Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox projected the Bears as top potential free-agent suitors for Packers starting left tackle Rasheed Walker, whom he estimates will sign a four-year, $85 million deal as one of the better tackles available.
“Set to turn 26 in February, Walker should be the top target of any team seeking a long-term left tackle in free agency,” Knox wrote.
Rasheed Walker Has Started 52 Games at Left Tackle
Walker, a 2022 seventh-round pick, is the latest gem that the Packers’ gifted offensive line scouts have uncovered for them, but is he worth an $85 million sticker price?
After playing just one game as a rookie, Walker stepped into the shoes of five-time All-Pro left tackle David Bakhtiari in 2023’s opening game and never looked back, playing in 55 consecutive games for the Packers, including his four starts in the postseason. In that time, he has been reasonably effective at pass-protecting Jordan Love’s blindside.
Unfortunately, one of the reasons why the Packers might not retain Walker — and why the Bears may want to steer clear — is his evident weaknesses as a zone run-blocker.
Walker has never figured out how to use his 6-foot-6, 324-pound frame to develop into a consistent run-blocker for the Packers, which hurt them even more in 2025 when they moved Elgton Jenkins to center and plugged in a less reliable Aaron Banks at left guard. Pro Football Focus graded Walker poorly as a run-blocker (55.4), 71st out of 87 tackles.
Walker also regressed as a pass protector in 2025, despite it being his biggest strength. While he finished with the 11th-best pass-block win rate (35%) among tackles, he also gave up more pressures (34) and committed more penalties (nine) than he did in 2024.
That’s not the type of trajectory that the Bears should consider investing in, especially with the market projecting Walker to make far more than his performance dictates.
Ozzy Trapilo’s Injury Will Likely Force Bears to Act
While a peek under the hood makes Walker seem like a bad signing target, the Bears will likely need to do something to bolster their offensive tackle room entering 2026.
Trapilo — the No. 56 overall pick in 2025 — emerged as one of the Bears’ most impactful rookies during the regular season, stepping into the starter role at left tackle in Week 12 and performing admirably as quarterback Caleb Williams‘ blindside protector. Over his 491 snaps, he gave up two sacks, three hits and 15 pressures and drew just two flags.
As encouraging as Trapilo’s rookie campaign was, though, the Bears have no idea when he will be back on the field for them after losing him in their wild-card playoff win over the Packers to a patellar tendon injury, which has a recovery time of six to 12 months. That will almost certainly take out Trapilo for the entire 2026 offseason and casts doubt on whether he will be ready to play when the Bears start the season next September.
As such, the Bears may have no other choice but to pursue another left tackle in either free agency or the 2026 NFL draft. The latter is Chicago’s most likely route, as they do not have heaps of cap space to take risks on inconsistent tackles like Walker, but it may take them using a Day 1 or Day 2 draft selection to acquire a starter-caliber rookie.
Alternatively, the Bears could use last year’s method of fixing their offensive line — the trade market — to solve their tackle problems, but they would be hard pressed to find a team willing to trade away a capable left tackle without asking for a fortune in return.
Bears Linked to Projected $85 Million Left Tackle in Free Agency