The loss to the Green Bay Packers was a painful one, and it might come back to haunt this team at the end of the season. However, if there's a silver lining, it might be Ozzy Trapilo's stellar play against one of the stoutest defensive fronts in the game.
The rookie out of Boston College has made the most of every opportunity he's got. And while he may have gotten the job because of injuries, it doesn't sound like coach Ben Johnson has any intention to send him back to the bench.
Ozzy Trapilo Aced His Test Against the Green Bay Packers
Revamping the offensive line was clearly a priority for GM Ryan Poles and the Bears, and they aced that test for the most part. Now, getting Trapilo at left tackle instead of Theo Benedet is the icing on top of the cake. The Bears gave up just one sack in the loss to the Packers, and it wasn't on the rookie.
He had a 91.1 pass block grade and didn't allow a single pressure, per Pro Football Focus, and that's despite going against a Packers defense featuring Micah Parsons that has a sack percentage of 7.13 percent, according to Team Rankings.
Trapilo is just getting started, and his PFF grade continues to go up by the week. As things stand now, he's up to a 66.9 grade, a 67.0 pass block grade, and a 60.1 run block grade, higher than both Theo Benedet and Braxton Jones.
The Bears won't have much of a margin for error to close out the season with a playoff berth and potentially the top spot in the NFC North. Trapilo will be in for the ultimate trial by fire next week when he faces off with the Cleveland Browns and Myles Garrett, the main candidate for Defensive Player of the Year, who will be chasing the league's record for the most sacks in a single season.
Holding his ground against the best pass rusher of his generation will certainly do wonders to cement Trapilo as the left tackle of the future in the Windy City. Then, things won't get much easier, with a rematch with the Packers and the Detroit Lions and a game vs. the San Francisco 49ers' bruising defense.
That's not what the doctor ordered for a rookie tackle who has made just three starts in his pro career, but if he aces those tests like he's done so far, there will be no doubt that the Bears have found Caleb Williams' blindside protector.