The Ben Johnson era has begun for the Chicago Bears and no one is safe. Bringing accountability and an attention to detail that seemed to be lacking under the previous regime, both veterans and rookies have been coached hard by Johnson as he looks to copy the Detroit Lions' recipe for success in The Windy City.
With this in mind, training camp is more interesting than in previous years. While veterans may seem safe, a last-minute trade is a possibility as Johnson looks to get the players he brought in to be put in place. That includes a player who has held a starting role over the past couple of seasons but is likely to be put on the block ahead of the upcoming season.
Bears Could Trade Braxton Jones By September
The Bears have spent plenty of resources building their offensive line this season. While the interior got plenty of headlines with trades for Jonah Jackson and Joe Thuney and the signing of free agent center Drew Dalman, the tackle position got a blue-chip talent when Chicago took Ozzy Trapilo in the second round of April’s draft.
Trapilo started for three years at Boston College and established himself as a versatile blocker with the Eagles. While he played right tackle, the Bears have decided to move him to left, creating one of the most intriguing competitions in training camp.
2024 third-round pick Kiran Amegadjie and Trapilo have both taken first-team reps as part of the competition, but veteran Braxton Jones has joined the fight after fully recovering from an ankle injury.
Jones has been a solid addition for the Bears since he was taken in the fifth round of the 2020 draft. The Southern Utah product has posted overall grades of 75.4, 68.8, and 77.4 in his three seasons, and he’s been a solid pass blocker, allowing a 7.3% pressure rate on 1,338 snaps according to Pro Football Focus.
While he’s dealt with injuries, it wouldn’t have been controversial if Johnson rolled with Jones at left tackle. But the decision to add Trapilo aligns with Johnson’s predecessor, Dan Campbell, who selected Penei Sewell with his first pick when he took over the Lions.
It also appears Trapilo is winning the battle. Offensive coordinator Declan Doyle told reporters that Thursday’s practice was about who was serious about becoming “king of the mountain” at their position, and Trapilo took first-team reps on Saturday with Jones working with the second unit. According to Jason Lieser of the Chicago Sun-Times.
The Bears could keep Jones and have him work with the second team – especially after Amegadjie suffered a leg injury during camp. But they also have an asset they can move in the final year of his contract.
Things could change on a single rep during training camp, but it appears Johnson may have a player in mind for the left tackle position, and it could leave Jones on the trading block.