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Until the playoff game in which the Bears defeated the Green Bay Packers on January 10th, it was looking like Chicago finally had their offensive line set for the first time in ages. However, rookie Ozzy Trapilo went down with a patellar injury that is almost certainly going to sideline him for the majority–or entirety–of the 2027 season.
We asked our contributors to share their thoughts on the matter. How do they want Chicago to address the left tackle position?
Lester Wiltfong: The free agent left tackles are either big money guys or mid-tier guys, and I think the Bears just need a stopgap guy this year to compete, which is why, if healthy, Braxton Jones makes sense. However, if he’s out, then New England’s Vederian Lowe is another possibility. As for the draft, I’m only going LT if a guy high on the board is there for the taking, wait and see how Ozzy’s rehab is going, and attack the position’s long-term fix next offseason.
However, yesterday’s news that the San Francisco 49ers may release Trent Williams because they can’t agree on a restructure means I’d love to see the Bears explore what a trade would look like, or wait and see if he is released and talk with his agent.
Jack R Salo: I would attack it in the draft. There’s a lot of money wrapped up in the interior of the offensive line already, and Darnell Wright will need to be paid very soon. The Bears need a cost-controlled option at left tackle if Trapillo isn’t ready for next season. Prioritize as early as round 1. Really good tackles don’t often make it out of that round anyway.
TJ Starman: I’m leaning toward a 1-year contract for a vet in free agency to fill the position and (presumably) compete with Benedet while Trapilo is recovering from injury. I’m not terribly familiar with the names available, but a couple that stand out to me as options for the cheap, “prove-it” deal could be someone like Fred Johnson from the Eagles or D.J. Humphries from the Rams. Neither guy is going to blow you away, but has put at least solid play on tape in the past and you’d hope that the Bears’ coaching and consistency at the other 4 positions would help elevate their play. It wouldn’t surprise me at all if the Bears take another shot in the draft though, too.
Sam Householder: I think they should prioritize it in the draft. If not round 1, then definitely round 2. I know they need defense, but there are multiple avenues open for that. Even a stop-gap LT in free agency isn’t a sure thing, especially in this window where they should be pushing for deep playoff runs.
Mongo Peanut: Find a mid-round guy in the draft that can compete with Benedet at the position. If neither of them look good, throw Thuney at LT and start one of McFadden or Newman between him and Dalman. If that feels too risky, I’d rather they sign a guy like Dalton Risner to a 1 year deal at middle tier money. Investing heavily in your LT position without knowing what Ozzy will be moving forward feels tricky. Getting a good Guard to fill in for Thuney is far more palatable. I want the resources available to get long term defensive upgrades.
Donald Gooch: I am worried about Ozzy to be completely honest. If Monroe Freeling is there at 25 I just have to take him. The position is just too important to gamble on. If he isn’t there – then I’d look to re-sign Braxton Jones (and might do so anyway as a stopgap) and hope that Ozzy fully recovers.
Bryan Orenchuk: I’m of the opinion that Ozzy has earned the job for the future. So we simply need a bridge until he’s healthy. To me, the best option is bringing a healthy Braxton back to compete for the job. He knows the offense, has started 44 games as a pro and would be supremely motivated to capitalize in a contract season he essentially just missed due to injury. This is a win-win for both the player and franchise. Let him compete with Theo and Kiran again and hopefully a healthy Braxton makes it an easy call. He goes off and makes great money and holds down the fort until Ozzy comes back. Assuming Brax doesn’t cost more than $6-8mill.
Josh Sunderbruch: I don’t see any way it’s responsible to enter the draft without both LT and Swing locked up, because a team can never be sure who will be available by 25. Thus, I’m on board with making Braxton Jones a reasonable 1- or 2-year deal. If he won’t take that, then the team needs to at least consider a Lowe or Mitchell-type just to have the necessary depth. Once that’s done, then they can be in a position to take a stab at the position in the draft without being pressured to do exactly that.