When the offseason officially wrapped up and preseason camp kicked off, I was pretty optimistic about the Bears’ left tackle situation. Was it great? Absolutely not. But on paper it looked ok. Ozzy Trapilo was thought to be out until November or December, but Braxton Jones was back and expected to be healthy. Theo Benedet did some ok things last year. Former first-round draft pick Jedrick Wills was brought into the mix after a year off to get his knee right. And Kiran Amegadjie, surprisingly, was going to get one more chance to prove he wasn’t a third-round swing-and-miss draft pick made by General Manager Ryan Poles.
However, from what we’ve seen so far, there’s some reason to be concerned as the preseason wraps up today.
Now, I’m not going to bring out PFF scores or anything like that in this post. They’re an ok metric for judging offensive line play, but far from perfect. Especially in the preseason, when there are a lot of moving parts. Really, it’s just been the eye test that the left tackle group has failed. And while Ozzy Trapilo appears to be far ahead of schedule, which is a great development, he won’t be ready right away, so someone else will take this job out of the gate.
Can Someone Grab The Bears’ Left Tackle Job?
Obviously, someone will be named the Bears’ starting left tackle. But at this point, it kind of just feels like it will be Braxton Jones by default. And that’s never how a coach wants to decide the position-battle winner.
To be honest, while it would have been great to see Benedet, Wills, or even Amegadjie step up with a great camp and earn the job, I don’t think many really expected it.
I like Theo Benedet a lot. He’s a solid swing tackle in a pinch and a solid extra tackle in the run game. But we saw enough of him last year to know he’s likely not a starter. He’s just not reliable enough in pass protection. Ben Johnson told us as much when he moved Joe Thuney to left tackle and started Jordan McFadden at left guard against the Rams in the Divisional Round last year.
Kiran Amegadjie and offensive tackle Theo Benedet walk on the field during Training Camp at Halas Hall. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn ImagesJedrick Wills Jr. had a promising start to his NFL career as a first-round pick out of Alabama. He started 45 games in his first three seasons with the Browns. But after knee injuries sidelined him, he was never really the same. And expecting a left tackle who missed an entire season and hadn’t been a full-time starter since 2022 to come in and be your answer was never likely. He was always a lottery ticket.
Kiran Amegadjie wasn’t going to win this job. It sounded like early in camp he might have surprised some people in a good way. However, in the first preseason game, he looked like the same player who had struggled throughout his career, and the coaching staff made it clear when he went from battling for the left tackle job to a backup on the right side the next week.
That leaves us with Jones. I’ve been a fan for a while now. I’ve said countless times on BN that he’s a perfectly solid, above-average tackle. He’s not elite, but if he’s your starter, you’re in a fine spot. But he just hasn’t been the same player since the ankle injury that ended his 2024 season a few weeks early. Last year, you could tell he just didn’t trust it, or it still wasn’t feeling right with how he moved in pass protection. He was moving a little gingerly, and quick double moves often beat him.
This year, though, we heard that he was finally healthy. In the offseason, Jones worked with former NFL left tackle Terron Armstead, and it sounded like he was looking more like his old self. However, it’s been much the same in the preseason. He’s struggled against the bull rush a bit. Granted, that’s always been one of his flaws. And his lateral quickness doesn’t seem like it’s there, or what it used to be. It’s just been disappointing to watch.
Braxton Jones my goodness man pic.twitter.com/HW2agfAFlT
— Dave (@davebftv) August 22, 2026I’m not trying to discredit the work Jones has put in. Clearly, he’s trying his best to get back to who he was before his ankle injury. Jones signed a one-year, $5 million deal this offseason. He knows he’s one good year away from a decent-sized contract. And who knows, maybe when the regular season kicks off, things will click for him. But it still just looks like they haven’t.
This preseason, the Bears gave four players legitimate chances to win the left tackle job. So far, none of them have done enough to really grab it. There’s still one more chance tonight in Tennessee, plus a couple of weeks of practice. I’m really hoping someone separates himself. I’m not holding my breath, though. All four options have had a month. Most likely, Jones will win the job by default, and he’ll have to hold down the fort until Trapilo gets healthy.
Dec 20, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Bears quarterback Caleb Williams prepares to throw a pass and offensive tackle Ozzy Trapilo blocks against Packers defensive end Rashan Gary during the first quarter at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike Dinovo-Imagn ImagesIt’s just unfortunate that this offense has such a high ceiling, with the capability to be one of the most explosive in the NFL. Still, one of its most important positions – Caleb Williams’ blindside protector – is such a massive question mark. The Panthers don’t have a great defensive line or pass rush, so Week 1 might be a good way to ease into the year. But after that, the Bears take on the Vikings and the Eagles in back-to-back weeks, so they’ll certainly have to have things figured out by then.
I’m still very optimistic about this season, and I’m excited about where Ben Johnson and Caleb Williams can take the Bears. But this lingering question mark will bug me until we have a resolution or Ozzy Trapilo comes back looking like his healthy self from last season.
Hence then, the article about the preseason is wrapping up and the bears still have one big issue that hasn t been resolved was published today ( ) and is available on Bleacher Nation ( Middle East ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( The Preseason Is Wrapping Up, And The Bears Still Have One Big Issue That Hasn’t Been Resolved )
Also on site :
- Yalla Shoot: Watch the Live Stream of Liverpool vs. Nottingham Forest Today in the Premier League
- Transfer news LIVE: Atletico give Alvarez deadline, Barcola set for long-term Liverpool deal, Chelsea make Enzo decision
- Billy Banned Matas’ Midrange Game? Eddy Curry vs Shaq, Jackson’s ACL Recovery, and Other Bulls Bullets