When the Chicago Bears selected Boston College offensive lineman Ozzy Trapilo in the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft, the pick didn’t come with a ton of fanfare.
But for a franchise desperate to add a bully in the trenches, it might turn out to be one of the most important moves of the Ryan Poles era. Trapilo, a 6-foot-8 technician with a nasty streak and a high football IQ, has drawn early comparisons to former Bears Pro Bowler Kyle Long—a fan favorite and foundational piece of Chicago’s offensive line during the 2010s.
The Bears drafted Trapilo 56th overall, putting him in the mix for starter at left tackle, with potential as a swing tackle, as well. After watching him during minicamp, Adam Jahns of CHGO likened his game to Long’s, and not just because they both chose the No. 75 jersey.
“On the field, Ozzy Trapilo looks like Kyle Long,” Jahns said. “And it’s not just his number. Physically, he’s built like Kyle Long. He moves like Kyle Long. We know how good Kyle Long was here, albeit in a different position, for the Chicago Bears.”
Kyle Long Responds to Ozzy Trapilo Comparison
GettyNew Bears OL Ozzy Trapilo is getting Kyle Long comparisons.
Long, son of Hall of Famer Howie Long, was drafted 20th overall in 2013 after time at Florida State, Saddleback and Oregon. He immediately started at guard as a rookie—making the Pro Bowl, All-Rookie team and PFF team—continuing to Pro Bowl in 2014 and 2015, and earning second-team All-Pro honors in 2014 (allowing zero sacks that season).
He played 77 games (76 starts) over seven seasons, establishing himself as arguably a top-10 guard at his peak, while also becoming a solid leader on the O-line.
Despite injuries derailing his later seasons, he was widely recognized not only for his on-field dominance but also as a culture-setter—bringing grit and intensity to the offensive line.
In a post on X on July 10, Long shared Jahns’ analysis, and his response was equally blunt and telling.
“Good,” Long wrote.
Trapilo Should Be in Line to Start at LT if Braxton Jones Falters
Trapilo was a standout at BC from 2020–2024, originally redshirting in 2020. He played 44 games with 36 starts—initially at left tackle (10 starts in 2022), then moving over to RT for his final two seasons. In 2024, PFF gave him an impressive 81.0 pass-blocking grade and a decent 74.1 overall mark after he gave up just two sacks all season.
Despite his size, Trapilo moves fluidly. He also has elite footwork, and he kept his penalties low in college (five career penalties). He allowed minimal pressures (7 sacks and 56 pressures over 2,349 snaps), and excelled in intangibles — he’s a great leader who has a genuine love of and nose for the game.
If Trapilo develops into an offensive lineman comparable to—or better than—Long, it would be a monumental win for the Bears.
Trapilo is a different type of player than Long, to be sure — he’s a natural tackle with more size, more length, and he moves better—but his impact could mirror Long’s if he reaches his full potential. What makes Trapilo especially valuable is his positional versatility. Long was primarily a guard, but Trapilo can play both tackle spots, giving the Bears flexibility.
If Trapilo hits, he could be the type of player who protects the franchise quarterback’s blindside for a decade, something the Bears haven’t consistently had in years. Given that he was selected in the second round rather than the first, the Bears could be getting even greater value than they did with Long.
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