If Chicago Bears offensive lineman Ozzy Trapilo had not gotten injured against the Green Bay Packers in the playoffs last season, there would be no left tackle competition this summer. Trapilo had been playing well and officially won the job when the Bears were playing the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 12.
But the reality is that Trapilo may not be able to play at all this season. If he’s able, that wouldn’t be until the end of the season or the playoffs. So, Chicago is in a similar position as last season with a competition for the starting left tackle job in training camp.
Like last summer, Braxton Jones has the edge as the starter so far, especially after working with the first-team offense for the last four days. Offensive coordinator Press Taylor attributed this to Jones’ strong communication with the rest of the line and the tight ends in camp.
“We’re going to give everybody an opportunity at that left tackle spot, and we’ll see who ends up taking the bull by the horns here,” Taylor said. “But I think Braxton has done what we’ve expected in terms of being physical, being in great communication with our left guards as well, being in communication with the tight ends. That’s something that I think as an entire unit so far with two days in pads we can improve, and that’ll be a big part of our step forward. But just giving those guys opportunities and seeing who’s gonna step up and take that job.”
Jones has not secured the starting left tackle job by any means, and even if he starts out the season as the starter, that does not mean it will stay that way. Kiran Amegadjie, who has been with the Bears since 2024, has gotten some starting reps in camp, as well as veteran free-agent addition Jedrick Wills Jr.
Wills used to be the starting left tackle for the Cleveland Browns in 2020 through 2023 until a severe knee injury halfway through the 2023 season. That injury caused him to miss time in 2024 and the entire 2025 season. But, he has the talent to potentially be Chicago’s starting left tackle this year.
Jones exited Thursday’s padded practice after some 1-on-1 reps against defensive end Austin Booker, but it appears that he’s avoided a significant injury. We’ll have to wait for official word about Jones’ status, but health is probably the only thing standing in his way of the starting job at this point.
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This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Press Taylor provides insight into Bears left tackle competition
Reporting by Ariana Pensy, Bears Wire / Bears Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Ariana Pensy, Bears Wire | USA TODAY Network
