Chicago has spent the entire season searching for stability at left tackle, cycling through Braxton Jones, Theo Benedet, and second-rookie Ozzy Trapilo in hopes that someone would seize the job.
On Sunday, with Jones on IR and Benedet ruled out late in the week, Trapilo got his chance and delivered the kind of performance that forces an organization to rethink its depth chart…
And maybe its entire long-term plan.
On 41 pass protection reps, Trapilo gave up just:
- 1 pressure
- 0 sacks
- 0 quarterback hits
- And an 88.4 pass-pro effectiveness grade
For a position that has been Chicago’s most glaring weakness, this was easily the best left tackle performance the Bears have gotten all season.
Right Time, Right Opponent, Right Message
GettyChicago Bears Rookie LT Ozzy Trapilo
The Bears’ offensive line overhaul has otherwise delivered exactly what GM Ryan Poles hoped for.
Joe Thuney, Drew Dalman, Jonah Jackson, and Darnell Wright have formed one of the NFL’s most consistent interior to right side units. Left tackle, though, has been a bit of a struggle.
Jones held the job early, but a knee injury on Oct. 25 put him on IR. Benedet had already begun rotating in before that, but his own decline (eight pressures allowed in 35 “true passing sets” over the previous two games) opened the door.
When Benedet then suffered a quad injury in Thursday’s practice, every sign pointed to Trapilo’s number being called.
“It’s come full circle,” Trapilo said afterward. “Going in, there were definitely nerves for my first start… but after the first snap, you’re just kind of playing football, something I’ve done for a long time.”
Those nerves disappeared quickly. After an early strip sack (one caused more by Caleb Williams drifting too deep rather than any breakdown in protection) the Bears didn’t allow another sack the rest of the afternoon.
The First Test in a Brutal Stretch
GettyChicago Bears Rookie LT Ozzy Trapilo
But this test is only the beginning. Cause the Bears now enter one of the most punishing pass-rush stretches in football:
- The Eagles dominant front four
- Myles Garrett (who’s on pace to break the single season sack record) and the Browns
- Two matchups with the Micah Parsons led Packers
- Then a matchup against the 49ers before facing Aidan Hutchinson and the Detroit Lions in Week 18
If Trapilo can hold up (or even continue trending upward) Chicago’s left tackle conversation becomes something very different heading into December.
Sure one strong start doesn’t finalize the depth chart. It doesn’t make Braxton Jones irrelevant or prevent Benedet from returning to form.
But it does force the Bears to see what they have.
Trapilo’s tape against Pittsburgh was good for anyone, let alone a rookie. And when a second-round pick plays like that at a premium position, you don’t go back to the rotation unless you have to.
Chicago has been waiting for clarity at left tackle all year. On Sunday, they might have finally gotten it.
Ozzy Trapilo is giving the Bears every reason to rethink everything at LT.
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