Chicago Bears training camp is just around the corner, which means it’s time to start looking ahead at the roster the team is bringing to Lake Forest.
We’re unveiling our Bears 2025 training camp position previews, where we’re breaking down every player by position and examining the biggest question facing the group.
Up next is offensive line, a position that received a major facelift in the offseason following a terrible 2024 season. With three new starters building the interior of the offensive line and a rookie looking to compete for starting left tackle, there’s plenty to watch for in training camp. The team also hired Dan Roushar to be their offensive line coach, and he’ll have the task to put all the new talent together and make the a successful unit in their first season together.
Let’s look at the Bears’ offensive line heading into 2025 training camp:
Drew Dalman
Signed this offseason to be the anchor at center, Drew Dalman comes with a well respected resume at the position. Considered one of the better centers in the league, Dalman will be called upon to be a veteran leader, create good chemistry with Caleb Williams, and get all new teammates on same page.
Joe Thuney
A four-time Super Bowl champion, four-time All-Pro, and three-time Pro Bowl selection, Joe Thuney arrived in Chicago via a trade with the Kansas City Chiefs and his success is hard to match. After blocking up front for Tom Brady and Patrick Mahomes, Thuney has the talent and success to lead the charge for this line as one of the league’s top left guards.
Jonah Jackson
Jonah Jackson, acquired in a trade with the Los Angeles Rams, was a former player of new Bears head coach Ben Johnson when they were both in Detroit. Jackson’s best season came with Johnson in 2021 when he made the Pro Bowl. Following last year’s disaster at right guard, Jackson should be seen as an immediate upgrade.
Darnell Wright
Darnell Wright is an unquestioned leader and rising star of the offensive line and a force at right tackle. While there had been discussions of moving him to left tackle, Wright will continue to play right tackle where he continues to grow and develop as one of the better young players at the position.
Braxton Jones
Braxton Jones is coming off ankle surgery that will have him limited to start training camp, and he’s got competition chomping at the bit behind him from rookie Ozzy Trapilo and Kiran Amegadjie. Jones hasn’t been a bad starting left tackle, he’s just left more to be desired and may have a big battle ahead of him to keep his starting job.
Ozzy Trapilo
A second-round pick in this year’s draft, Ozzy Trapilo is seen as the biggest competition to Jones at the left tackle position. The rookie out of Boston College turned heads at rookie minicamp and with an impressive showing in training camp could earn the opportunity to start at left tackle.
Kiran Amegadjie
Kiran Amegadjie, a third-round pick in last year’s draft, had a rookie season to forget. Held back by injuries to begin the season, Amegadjie was thrown to the wolves on short notice in a loss to the Minnesota Vikings on Monday Night Football late last season. There is still plenty of time for him to develop — and he’s in competition for the starting left tackle job — but he likely does that in a reserve role.
Ryan Bates
Hampered by injuries since arriving in Chicago last year, Ryan Bates is a versatile swing lineman who could not only bring depth but is able to fill in as a replacement at multiple positions. Bates spent his first five seasons with the Buffalo Bills but was coveted by general manager Ryan Poles. But the payoff hasn’t been there yet.
Doug Kramer Jr.
Doug Kramer, a sixth-round pick of the Bears in 2022, has done well in holding a roster spot thus far but was involved in one of the worst plays of the season last year when he committed a fumble on the goal line in a loss to the Washington Commanders. Kramer has familiarity with the organization, which could keep him on the roster, but he’ll face a battle to earn his spot.
Bill Murray
After spending his first three seasons with the New England Patriots, Bill Murray came to Chicago last season, and is a formidable depth piece. He’ll be behind Jonah Jackson at the right guard position, which could come in hand as Jackson has battled injuries over the last couple of seasons.
Chris Glaser
Chris Glaser has spent time with the Kansas City Chiefs, Dallas Cowboys, and two separate stints with the New York Jets before he was signed to the Bears practice squad last season. Glaser was signed to a reserve/future contract in January and is likely to be on the practice squad this year.
Theo Benedet
A star in last year’s HBO’s ‘Hard Knocks’ with the Bears, Theo Benedet spent his first year in the NFL going undrafted but signed to the team’s practice squad. He was signed to a reserve/future contract in January.
Jordan McFadden
A former fifth-round pick of the Los Angeles Chargers, Jordan McFadden played in 12 games in his rookie season and started two of those games. He was waived by the Chargers at the end of last season and was claimed by the Bears shortly after.
Joshua Miles
Joshua Miles, a former seventh-round pick of the Arizona Cardinals in the 2019 NFL draft, has been around the league with multiple teams. His previous stops include the Cardinals, Atlanta Falcons, and New York Giants, before he was signed to a reserve/future contract.
Luke Newman
A sixth-round pick in this year’s draft, Luke Newman started his collegiate career at Holy Cross before transferring to Michigan State last year. He started 12 games for the Spartans in his only year with them and was a participant of the East-West Shrine Bowl.
Ricky Stromberg
A third-round pick of the Washington Commanders in 2023, Ricky Stromberg battled through injuries in his first two seasons that saw him on injured reserve more than once. He was signed to the Bears practice squad last year and is likely to be on the practice squad this season as well.
Big Question: Will Ozzy Trapilo win the starting left tackle job?
The most interesting battle coming into training camp will undoubtedly be the fight for the starting left tackle position between Braxton Jones, Ozzy Trapilo and Kiran Amegadjie. A second-round pick in this year’s draft, Trapilo has been one of the most discussed standout rookies during the offseason program, and with Jones battling back from injury, Trapilo could come out of the gate firing and steal the starting role from him. There will be questions about Trapilo starting as a rookie, but with three newcomers beside him in Joe Thuney, Drew Dalman and Jonah Jackson, the Bears may have enough talent and veteran leadership on the line to allow Trapilo the opportunity to learn on the job as he has the most important role in protecting Caleb Williams’ blindside.
This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Chicago Bears 2025 training camp preview: Offensive line
Reporting by Mike Pendleton, Bears Wire / Bears Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
