Ozzy Trapilo's health is one of the bigger concerns facing the Chicago Bears this offseason. The lineman suffered a ruptured patellar tendon in his knee during the playoffs that required surgery, and could potentially miss the start of the 2026 NFL season.
The uncertainty surrounding Trapilo's health could force Chicago fans to pay special attention to the news that San Francisco 49ers star left tackle Trent Williams could be hitting free agency. ESPN's Adam Schefter reported on the situation on Tuesday, making the potential divorce of the two sides a clear possibility.
"With five-time All-Pro left tackle Trent Williams scheduled to carry a $39 million cap number this season, he and the 49ers currently are struggling to find a contractual solution, per league sources. If the two sides can’t bridge their differences in their standoff, Williams would be expected to join this year’s free-agent class, making him one of the premier players available."Adam Schefter, ESPN
While Schefter floats the idea of Williams hitting free agency, the Bears should still have very little interest.
Bears Can't Be Tempted by Trent Williams' Potential Availability
There are a few reasons why the Bears should steal clear of Williams if he leaves the 49ers next month.
For starters, the aging veteran is 38 and has missed double-digit games over the last three seasons. Players rarely get healthier with age, and Williams doesn't fit the timeline of a young Chicago team looking to make the most of its Super Bowl window.
There is also the fact that salary-wise it doesn't make sense, with it being a safe bet that Williams will garner $20 million or more if he hits free agency, and could even look to demand a multi-year deal. These factors, combined with the fact that the Bears are more than $4.1 million above the salary cap, according to OverTheCap, make it clear a signing isn't in Chicago's best interest.
Even if you manage to look past the age, cost, and injury history, you have the fact that Trapilo will eventually return. While it might be deep into the 2026 season, signing Williams blocks a position for which you already have an answer for. It utilizes valued cap space that could be used to re-sign important free agents like Kevin Byard or Nahshon Wright.
It makes more sense for Chicago to piece together the position by looking at in-house options or bringing in a possible answer in this year's draft class. No matter how it shakes out, it simply doesn't make sense to take the risk that is Williams at this point in the veteran's career.
The Bears have the needed offensive pieces rostered to be an elite unit capable of making a Super Bowl run. With Trapilo coming back, there is no reason to take an unnecessary risk on someone like Williams, who could do more harm than good if brought to the Windy City.