How Ben Johnson Could Upend The Bears’ Entire 2026 Draft With One Decision
Chicago Bears fans must wrap their head around a new reality. General manager Ryan Poles still sits at the top of the organization. He runs the front office, directs the scouts, and sets the agenda for what the team looks for in potential talent acquisitions. However, head coach Ben Johnson appears to have significant personnel authority. Several insiders have said that it was part of his contract negotiations. He wanted final say on any player coming onto the roster. The Bears agreed.
That is why projections for the upcoming 2026 NFL draft might be looking in the wrong direction. They’re still looking at it from the eyes of Poles. Most people agree that the defense will be the focus of the spring. They need a youth infusion in the front seven and likely will require help at safety as well. There is just one problem. The Bears don’t have anybody on the roster who is the starting left tackle. Considering how much turnover the position saw this season and how much Johnson tinkered with it, this might be a bigger storyline than people realize.
| Name | Games | Reason he was replaced |
| Braxton Jones | 1-4 | Poor performance |
| Theo Benedet | 5-10 | Quad injury |
| Ozzy Trapilo | 11-16 | Rest |
| Theo Benedet | 17 | Not the playoff starter |
| Ozzy Trapilo | 18 | Torn patella |
| Joe Thuney | 19 | N/A |
Ben Johnson is still an offensive guy.
That he how he sees the game of football. He wants to control the ball and score points. That is hard to do when you don’t have a reliable left tackle. One must remember where he’s coming from. He broke into the NFL with the Miami Dolphins in 2012 when they still had Pro Bowler Jake Long. Then, a few years later, they drafted Laremy Tunsil, another eventual Pro Bowler. After getting fired, he landed in Detroit, where they’ve enjoyed Taylor Decker’s endless reliability for 10 years.
Ben Johnson knows you can’t expect an offense to function at its highest capacity without a dependable left tackle. They must be solid in pass protection, not requiring constant help. This was not something the Bears did often in 2025. Think about the situation. Trapilo won’t return until after the regular season begins. Jones is a free agent. Benedet will be back but has been benched twice. The Bears don’t have anybody, and aren’t likely to find somebody who fits the profile in free agency. Courtney Cronin of ESPN revealed that this issue is quietly the top priority inside Halas Hall.
“I think that the idea that pass rush is the most important priority for this team this offseason, I think it’s changed a little bit, because we will judge Ryan Poles most harshly on what happens with the offensive line at left tackle.
I think that that changed what the priority number one has to be in the offseason. Because the rest of the offensive line is set. You have continuity, you have stability. You cannot allow the left tackle spot to be a revolving door. And I don’t think the answer is on the roster.”
The Bears face a big dilemma.
Wanting to get a left tackle in the draft is fine. The problem is being in a position to get one. It is a premium position, and so they tend to go early in the 1st round. Chicago sits at 25th overall. That isn’t exactly prime real estate to address such an important position. The last player taken in that range who’s gone on to become at least a good left tackle was Christian Darrisaw in 2021. Before that, it was D.J. Humphries in 2015. Needless to say, it is a rare occurrence. That means one of two things.
Either the Bears must get lucky, or they may have to consider trading up to get the guy they want. As things stand, only one name is considered a definitive Day One starting left tackle in this class. That is Spencer Fano from Utah. There is one problem. Every draft expert doesn’t believe he gets out of the top five this April. That leaves Johnson with three remaining options.
The Bears’ realistic options at left tackle all have flaws.
Francis Mauigoa excelled at right tackle for Miami this past season. While boasting power and size, he doesn’t have the foot speed many believe is required for the left. A move to guard is a common prediction for him. Then you have Kadyn Proctor from Alabama. He is a mauler in the run game and has the best anchor in pass protection of the remaining choices. Sadly, he also has average foot speed, making him vulnerable to more athletic edge rushers. Then you have Fano’s teammate, Caleb Lomu. He is the best athlete of the three, demonstrating foot speed and body control in pass protection. However, if you’re looking for power, don’t expect it from him.
So the question is: which of these players, if any, could Ben Johnson see as a legitimate option at left tackle? Mauigoa hasn’t played left tackle, but neither did Trapilo. Proctor has the best anchor, which is a high priority for the Bears’ head coach, but so is the ability to play on an island where technique and range often win. Lomu has the athletic edge but faces the same issues as Jones: a lack of power. This will likely come down to what Johnson believes will be the easiest to work around. Either that, or he’ll gamble on trying to find a tackle in the 2nd or 3rd rounds who he can coach up. None of these solutions is ideal.