The Chicago Bears have returned to the grind following their bye week, leaving time to tell who'll impress head coach Ben Johnson & Co. when they face the Washington Commanders on Monday night. Rookie offensive tackle Ozzy Trapilo is one player whom fans will be keeping a close eye on after the 2025 second-round pick made his offensive debut in Week 4.
As much as Bears fans want to see more of Trapilo going forward, an increased snap count is far from guaranteed if his head coach has anything to say about it. In fact, Johnson doesn't sound like he's sure of how he'll use the first-year blocker moving forward as No. 1 right tackle Darnell Wright nears his return from injury.
"(We're) letting them battle it out and see who wins what," Johnson said about a competition between the Bears' tackles (h/t @CHGO_Bears). "So, whether that's a starting role or whether that's a backup role, we'll determine that when the time comes."
Ben Johnson Isn't Ready to Commit to Ozzy Trapilo Just Yet
Wright, Chicago's starting right tackle, hasn't played since Week 3 due to an ongoing elbow injury. The former Tennessee Volunteer "was present but working with a trainer off to the side" during Tuesday's practice, per Bears insider Courtney Cronin, hinting that he might be back sooner rather than later.
Considering how Wright has started in all 36 of his Bears appearances since the start of the 2023 season, Johnson's refusal to commit to Trapilo as a starter isn't surprising. Chicago's frontline has been up and down all season, and going with the most proven commodity is often a coach's first instinct.
Having said that, the Bears must use Wright's absence to test Trapilo as much as possible. The ex-Boston College Eagle only allowed two quarterback hurries on 40 offensive snaps against the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 4, which is the type of protection quarterback Caleb Williams needs to succeed. Now, it'll be up to the rookie protector to replicate his success against the Commanders, who are currently tied on Pro Football Focus for the fifth-worst pass rush grade (64.9).
Trapilo oozed potential throughout his collegiate career, and his showing signs of realizing what he can do at the NFL level. Johnson might want to overhype the first-year Bear at the moment, but he might have no choice but to if Trapilo has another strong blocking effort against the Commanders in primetime.
If he's successful, Chicago will have an interesting conundrum to deal with whenever Wright returns.