The Chicago Bears have had plenty of change as they enter Ben Johnson’s first season. While Chicago will continue to be led by second-year quarterback Caleb Williams, it could be the changes that put them over the top as Johnson looks to bring some of the formula that led the Detroit Lions’ offense to prominence.
Tight end Colston Loveland and wide receiver Luther Burden III are two pieces that will hope to help the Bears improve next season. But it’s the addition of an offensive lineman that could put one of their most polarizing players on the chopping block ahead of training camp.
Ozzy Trapilo’s Arrival Puts Braxton Jones On Notice Ahead of Bears Training Camp
The Bears’ offensive line was the centerpiece of the additions as they project to have three new starters in the trenches next season. While Joe Thuney, Drew Dalman and Jonah Jackson should improve the interior, Chicago added another piece when they took Boston College offensive tackle Ozzy Trapilo in the second round in April’s draft.
A three-year starter at Boston College, Trapilo was a right tackle in Bill O’Brien’s offense. But the Bears have entrusted him to protect the blind side as he’s worked at left tackle during the offseason program.
Moving a player from his unnatural position is a risk – especially when that player was projected as a third-round pick by The Athletic’s Dane Brugler. But he’s already taken to the new position well as he reportedly took every snap at left tackle with the first team during OTAs on May 28 and was compared to former Bears legend Kyle Long earlier this month.
The drumbeat has been loud but it’s even louder for the player looking to hold onto his job. Braxton Jones has been a three-year starter for the Bears since he was taken in the fifth-round of the 2022 draft and he’s carved out a strong career coming from Southern Utah of the Football Championship Subdivision.
While that makes him admirable, he also has drawn frustration from Bears fans. Jackson’s overall grade dropped from 75.4 during his rookie season to 68.8 during his sophomore year according to Pro Football Focus and his 2024 campaign was cut short due to an ankle injury.
Jones is still dealing with the ailment heading into training camp and Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune added that he could be placed on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list when the Bears begin practice later this month although he doesn’t think he’ll be on there long.
“The last time I checked in on that topic, I was told he’s not ready at the start of camp,” Biggs told 670 The Score’s Mully & Haugh Show on Monday. “They didn’t feel like it was going to be too long in the camp until he was ready. …So Jones, yeah, that’s certainly one to keep an eye on.”
Even if it’s just a short stay on the PUP list, time is of the essence. If Trapilo continues to perform well at left tackle, Jones could return to the field without a starting job. With 2024 third-round pick Kiran Amegadjie also competing for a job, the Bears could look to be proactive and try to trade Jones before the start of the season.
It’s a good sign for a Bears team that needed major changes after Williams was sacked an NFL-high 68 times last season. But it’s a troubling sign for Smith, who could be on track to have a rookie steal his job.