In a game that came down to a blocked field goal and the narrowest of margins, the Chicago Bears' 25-24 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders provided validation for one of head coach Ben Johnson's boldest in-game decisions of the young season. Facing a relentless pass rush led by one of the NFL's premier edge rushers in Maxx Crosby, Johnson benched the veteran and inserted undrafted rookie Theo Benedet at left tackle while giving second-round pick Ozzy Trapilo his first career snaps at right tackle. Both young tackles played well enough to spark serious conversations about the team's tackle depth heading into their bye week.
Trapilo Handles the Heat
The Bears' coaching staff wisely provided Trapilo with significant support throughout his reps. Tight ends and running backs frequently chipped Crosby and other Raiders pass rushers on Trapilo's side, acknowledging both the difficulty of the matchup and the rookie's inexperience at this level. This strategic assistance wasn't a sign of weakness but rather smart game planning—recognizing that asking any rookie to handle Crosby one-on-one for an entire game would be setting him up for failure.
This sequence perfectly illustrated both Trapilo's potential and the effectiveness of the game plan. Against a standard pass rush, Trapilo demonstrated excellent anchor ability in pass protection.
(Photo: 247Sports)
His base remained wide and his pad level stayed low as he absorbed contact, preventing the defender from generating any push into the pocket. His hands stayed active throughout the rep, constantly working to control the rusher's movements and redirect his path away from Williams. The result was a clean pocket and time for Williams to work through his progressions.
However, NFL pass rushers don't become elite by relying solely on power, and Crosby demonstrated why he's regarded as one of the best in the business. On another play, Crosby deployed a devastating dip-and-rip move that caught Trapilo off-balance. The veteran edge rusher used his flexibility to get underneath Trapilo's punch, dipping his shoulder while simultaneously ripping through the rookie's hands.
(Photo: 247Sports)
The move worked to perfection, allowing Crosby to beat Trapilo inside and generate pressure. These are the growing pains that come with developing young tackles, and the key takeaway from his performance wasn't perfection, but competitiveness. He held his own far more often than not, and the offense functioned better with him on the field.
Benedet Emerges as Pleasant Surprise
If Trapilo's performance was encouraging, Theo Benedet's showing was downright impressive. The undrafted free agent found himself matched up primarily against Malcolm Koonce (a player who posted eight sacks in his last full healthy season). Unlike Trapilo, Benedet spent much of the game working on an island with minimal help, and he more than held his own. Benedet's anchor in pass protection was consistently strong, with excellent pad level allowing him to absorb contact without surrendering ground. Perhaps even more impressive was his lateral quickness—the ability to mirror speed rushers and prevent them from bending the edge around him. You can opposite the previous rep from Trapilo, he's actually pretty solid on his side.
(Photo: 247Sports)
He flashes good lower body strength and athleticism in this clip as well. Does a great job absorbing the bull rush and shooting his arms into his as Caleb Williams extends the play. For a player of his size (6-foot-7, 295 pounds), the clips below display a rare combination of length and athleticism.
(Photo: 247Sports)
(Photo: 247Sports)
The Athletic Profile
What makes Benedet's performance even more intriguing is the athletic profile he brings to the position. His pro day numbers tell the story of a tackle prospect with rare physical tools:
Height/Weight: 6'7", 295 lbs
Arm Length: 34.5 inches
Hand Size: 10.25 inches
40-Yard Dash: 5.16 seconds
10-Yard Split: 1.77 seconds
20-Yard Shuttle: 4.60 seconds
3-Cone Drill: 7.69 seconds
Vertical Jump: 32.125 inches
Broad Jump: 9'6"
Bench Press: 23 reps
Benedet's testing numbers compare very favorably to those of Ozzy Trapilo, who was selected in the second round of the 2025 draft. While draft position doesn't always correlate with on-field success, it's worth noting that Benedet's athletic profile suggests he has the raw physical tools to compete at a high level in the NFL.The fact that he went undrafted speaks more to concerns about the level of competition he faced rather than any deficiency in his physical abilities or technique. Sunday's performance against an NFL-caliber pass rush should put some of those concerns to rest.
Building Depth for the Long Haul
The performance of both rookies also creates competition at the tackle positions—something that can only benefit the team in the long run. The Bears entered this season knowing that offensive line depth would be tested. Every NFL team deals with injuries and performance issues along the line, and having quality reserves who can step in without the offense cratering is the difference between competitive teams and those that fall apart when adversity strikes.
Sunday's game against the Raiders provided evidence that the Bears may have found something special in both Trapilo and Benedet. The fact that the offense actually improved with both rookies on the field speaks volumes. This wasn't just about surviving without the starters; the unit genuinely played better. Williams had more time to throw, the running game found some rhythm, and the entire operation looked more cohesive. Whether that was due to the individual performances of Trapilo and Benedet, the schematic adjustments that accompanied their insertion, or simply the energy that change brought to the unit, the results were undeniable. Both still need more experience and development, but the future looks bright for both players.