The Chicago Bears improved their offensive line in a big way this offseason, but there’s still one position left to be determined: Left tackle.
With three-year starter Braxton Jones recovering from injury, a battle has emerged for the starting left tackle job between second-year pro Kiran Amegadjie and rookie Ozzy Trapilo, who are each getting an opportunity to win the job over incumbent starter Jones.
Bears head coach Ben Johnson discussed how the left tackle competition remains an “ongoing process” as it’s hard to make a true evaluation before the pads come on in training camp. But he reiterated that Amegadjie and Trapilo continue to take turns with the starting offense.
But Johnson also made it clear how the team will determine their starting left tackle: They’re looking for the best pass protector.
“To me, the number one job of an offensive tackle, doesn’t matter if it’s right or left, is to pass protect,” Johnson said. “You need to be able to block their best pass rusher, one on one, and that’s, to me, the number one job. Everything we can get out of them in the run game will be gravy on top of it, but we have to find out who the best pass-protector is, the most consistent pass-protector is, and, really, that’s for all five guys up front.”
Johnson had high praise for Trapilo and Amegadjie, who have been rotating at left tackle with the starters since OTAs began. While the pads have yet to come on, Johnson sees plenty of potential in both young players.
“The cool thing to see is Ozzy, for a guy that’s a young player, he’s really polished in terms of the mental aspect of the game,” Johnson said. “We’re looking to key up some things, quicken up his steps and his identification process. Kiran has done a nice job, for the little bit that we’ve had him, as well, just with the growth process. So far, so good.”
It’ll be a three-man race for the starting left tackle job when training camp kicks off, although Jones will be limited once camp begins in the summer. It’ll give Amegadjie and Trapilo a head start in the race for the final spot along the offensive line.
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This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: How Bears will determine who wins starting left tackle job
Reporting by Alyssa Barbieri, Bears Wire / Bears Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
