The Chicago Bears will not have to rely on Theo Benedet to protect Caleb Williams' blindside against the Green Bay Packers during their NFC Wild Card matchup this weekend. Per the Chicago Tribune's Brad Biggs, WR Rome Odunze (foot) and LT Ozzy Trapilo (quad) were full participants and had no designation for Thursday's practice.
Per RotoWire's Staff, "Trapilo missed Week 18 and was limited in practice Tuesday and Wednesday, but he's back to full health in time for Chicago's playoff opener. He's on track to draw his usual start at left tackle versus the Packers on Saturday."
Benedet ran the risk of being overexposed in the postseason against a solid, if hurting, Packers pass rush. Now, with Trapilo back, pass protection will be much improved, even if Benedet was solid in run protection.
Ben Johnson described Trapilo's importance to the offensive line and the locker room as a whole back in December.
"You know, it's coming into the building, and he's very much a pro's pro at this point; he's not a rookie anymore. He's one of the guys in that room; I know they've embraced him. He's got a great head on his shoulders. He's very aware, very smart," Johnson said, via Roundtable Sports.
Benedet was graded out as a bottom-10 LT by Pro Football Focus. As a second-year rookie from Canada, whose previous highest level of play was in U Sports football for the UBC Thunderbirds, the adjustment to being a full-time starter was tough for him, even if the team was winning.
Chicago will still have him for depth with Trapilo back. Still, his role could become less clear soon.
Braxton Jones Can Push Theo Benedet Out of a Role
Braxton Jones' impending return could threaten Benedet's spot on the depth chart. The Bears opened Jones’ 21-day practice window this past week, according to Biggs, which could push Benedet out of the picture completely during the playoffs if Chicago can advance to the Divisional Round or further.
Jones struggled during the 2025 season, but he made such an impression during his rookie year as a fifth-round pick out of Southern Utah that he's carved out a steady role in the Windy City since. Obviously, his knee injury threw a wrench into those plans in late October, but things are looking up for the former SUU Thunderbird.
The more things look up for Jones, the more things are looking down for Benedet. We'll see how Benedet handles the potentially imminent demotion.