Why Bears’ Left Tackle Plans Suddenly Look Far Less Certain After Ozzy Trapilo Update

The Chicago Bears enacted an unexpected plan at left tackle for the game against Los Angeles when they shifted star guard Joe Thuney to that spot. It was a surprise considering they had both Braxton Jones and Theo Benedet available. Each had started games at that spot this season for the Bears. However, head coach Ben Johnson didn’t trust their ability to anchor against the powerful Rams pass rusher Jared Verse in pass protection. So Thuney because their fourth starting left tackle of the season. It was another reminder of how much that injury to Ozzy Trapilo hurt.

The rookie tackle had come a long way from his unceremonious benching in August after looking like the early favorite for the starting job. He’d become a reliable presence in pass protection and was showing quality progress every week. Now his status for the start of next season is uncertain as he prepares to rehab from patella surgery. Then again, from the way Dan Roushar spoke to Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune recently, his spot wouldn’t have been guaranteed even if healthy.

Chicago had lingering concerns about him even before that.

Rookie Ozzy Trapilo underwent surgery Thursday morning to repair his left knee…

…Trapilo has a potentially long road ahead to recover from a patellar tendon injury. You have to imagine the Bears will brace for the possibility that Trapilo won’t be ready to go Week 1, as patellar tendon injuries can put players on grueling rehab schedules…

…“The thing about Ozzy, he’s a smart player and he uses that to his strength,” Roushar said. “However, there are some times where right now — and I’ve talked to him about this and it’s not something we’re going to change immediately — but he’s going to have to gain lower-body strength and get stronger to be able to sustain, redirect.”

With three big swings in the offseason, the Bears turned around the offensive line with Thuney, center Drew Dalman and right guard Jonah Jackson. They might need one more player to take this unit to the next level. Left tackles are hard to find. I’m not looking forward to weekly questions about Darnell Wright switching to left tackle in the offseason. Wright has been really good at right tackle; he’s fine there.

But this position is worth watching, with Trapilo’s injury and Johnson surely wanting things to be more settled up front.

Ozzy Trapilo can’t fix that issue anytime soon.

Improving his lower-body strength would’ve been a primary focus this offseason. Unfortunately, all that time must now be spent rehabbing his knee and getting back to full health. It’s become clear since the beginning that Ben Johnson will not lower his standards regarding the left tackle position. He needs the player at that position to fill very specific criteria. At the top of the list is the ability to anchor in pass protection. Jones couldn’t do it. Benedet couldn’t do it. Trapilo couldn’t do it often enough.

It might be time to accept the possibility that the Bears might be bigger players in the left tackle market than people think. Remember, Jones and Benedet are both free agents. Ozzy Trapilo may not be ready for the start of the season. There is a strong possibility they could go hunting for a starter, whether in free agency or at the top of the NFL draft. It is one of the most important positions in the sport. While helping the defense is an obvious priority, Johnson may deem left tackle more important.

Much may depend on whether the Bears decide to bring Jones or Benedet back.