When the Chicago Bears posted a clip of rookie offensive tackle Ozzy Trapilo walking next to some other offensive linemen during training camp, fans couldn’t help but marvel at his sheer size.
Trapilo looks like an Asgardian straight out of a Thor movie. At 6’8″ and 316 lbs, he makes 6’4″, 312 lbs Jonah Jackson look small. But it’s not just his physical stature that’s drawing attention. Trapilo’s poise, maturity, and competitive drive are turning heads early in what is shaping up to be a high-stakes three-way battle for the starting left tackle job.
Ozzy Trapilo Turning Heads Early in Camp
Ozzy Trapilo’s development and demeanor have left strong early impressions on both the Bears’ coaching staff and his teammates. “He doesn’t speak very much,” head coach Ben Johnson said. “Like a lot of these rookies, they’re swimming, and that’s a good thing. He just wants to find his way. He wants to compete, which he’s doing a great job of right now.” Despite being new to the NFL, Trapilo has shown a level of maturity well beyond his years.
Offensive coordinator Declan Doyle echoed those sentiments. “He’s really mature. He’s a rookie, but he feels like a veteran just as far as how he carries himself, how he works on the field. I know Coach Roushar and Coach DeVan have been really pleased with him.”
While Trapilo’s early reps have included a few growing pains, especially against the likes of seasoned veterans like Grady Jarrett and Montez Sweat, his response to those challenges has been telling. “He is mature. When he has a miss set, he looks to correct it,” Johnson said. “Coach Roushar, Coach DeVan, they’re all over him on that.”
All-Pro offensive lineman Joe Thuney also mentioned how Trapilo has done a “great job getting in his playbook” and being willing to listen and learn. That willingness to absorb coaching and apply it in real time is exactly what you want in a potential blindside protector for Caleb Williams.
A Three-Way Battle
Ozzy Trapilo’s emergence comes during a rare three-man competition for the Bears’ starting LT job. With four offensive line spots virtually locked in, left tackle is the biggest question mark heading into next season.
Braxton Jones, a three-year starter with 40 career starts, brings experience but is working his way back from a fractured ankle that ended his 2024 season.
He missed all of OTAs and minicamp, giving Trapilo and 2024 third-round pick Kiran Amegadjie valuable first-team reps. As Johnson noted, “We’re coming in with blank slates. Just because a guy’s played and another guy hasn’t, we’re going to let the competition play out.”
Courtney Cronin of ESPN reported that this position battle is one of the few times Johnson has dealt with a true three-man race in camp. “I can’t tell you I’ve been through a three-man race before, so each play is going to be evaluated and they’ve got to take full advantage of each opportunity that they get.”
With joint practices against the Miami Dolphins and Buffalo Bills looming in early and mid-August, the Bears’ coaching staff will use every snap as a data point in determining who wins the job.
Trapilo’s college background may give him the edge in consistency. A second-round pick out of Boston College, Trapilo was a three-year starter who committed only five penalties during that span, leading general manager Ryan Poles to describe him as a “technician and dependable” offensive lineman.
With all the positive news coming out of camp on Trapilo, he shouldn’t be thrust into the starting role if he isn’t ready. He’s still a rookie, and the Bears have other options. In April, Johnson talked about Amegadjie having a “fair shot” to win the starting role, and Jones has proven he can start at left tackle. The biggest factor right now is time, which the Bears have.
If Trapilo continues to grow into his role, the “Asgardian” might not just look the part but earn it.
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