When it was announced following last week’s win over the Green Bay Packers that starting left tackle Ozzy Trapilio would miss the remainder of the playoffs with a torn patellar tendon, the immediate question among Chicago Bears fans was who would replace him for the divisional round?
Would the Bears go with Theo Benedet, who took over as the starter for Braxton Jones in Week 4 and held the starting gig until Week 12? Or would Chicago flip the script and throw Jones back into the starting lineup against this physical Los Angeles Rams’ defensive line?
If you asked Bears fans what they would do if they were calling the shots, they would likely go with Benedet and have Jones as his backup, as it leaves the rest of Chicago’s offensive line intact.
However, Bears head coach Ben Johnson is considering another plan at left tackle, which could backfire and weaken the offensive line at left guard. Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune reported on Saturday that two sources told him that the Bears are considering moving Joe Thuney to left tackle and putting Jordan McFadden or Luke Newman at left guard.
As you can imagine, when Bears fans caught wind of this proposed swap, it did not go over so well, given Thuney’s struggles at left tackle last year with the Kansas City Chiefs.
Bears' LT Situation Takes a Turn with Proposed Joe Thuney-Theo Benedet Swap
Last season, Thuney started at left tackle for the Chiefs between Weeks 15-17, and also in the playoffs, which included Super Bowl LIX against the Philadelphia Eagles. And we all remember what the Eagles’ defensive line did to the Chiefs’ offensive line.
That plan did not go well for Thuney as he had grades of 63.4 (pass block) and 58.9 (run block), according to Pro Football Focus (h/t Daniel Coulton on X). Jake Oliver Ellenbogen, host of the Downtown Rams podcast, pointed out that Thuney allowed 10 quarterback pressures and two sacks in his last three games of 2024.
This year, Thuney has played at an All-Pro level at left guard, as he’s given up 20 pressures in 18 games. If you’re the Bears, one would question that decision to weaken the guard spot to throw McFadden, who has predominantly played special teams this season, or Newman to the wolves.
Newman has appeared in nine games this season, but has only played 25 offensive snaps, 22 of which came in Week 12 against the Pittsburgh Steelers for an injured Jonah Jackson at the time.
That being said, this all leads us back to Benedet. The 24-year-old offensive lineman has had his fair share of struggles this season. In his most recent start against the Detroit Lions in Week 18, star pass rusher Aidan Hutchinson had eight quarterback pressures.
Pass protection has been a work in progress for Benedet, and maybe that’s something Johnson is weighing against this Rams’ defense that can create pressure across the line. When Benedet held the starting left tackle job between Weeks 4-12, he allowed 22 pressures and two sacks across 281 pass blocking snaps, per Pro Football Focus.
However, during that same stretch, Benedet showed that he can be effective in the run game, which is what the Bears must establish to have a chance on Sunday evening. According to PFF, Benedet had a 60.7 run blocking grade.
Nevertheless, it shall be interesting to see what Johnson ultimately decides to do for tonight’s game. Bears fans hope that Johnson rolls with Benedet and keeps Thuney at left guard, but this is the playoffs, where anything and everything can change at a moment's notice.