The Chicago Bears have made a meaningful change to their lineup, naming Theo Benedet the new starting left tackle ahead of the team’s Week 6 contest against the Washington Commanders.
Benedet, who graduated from British Columbia in Canada and then joined the Bears as an undrafted rookie free agent in 2024, replaces fourth-year starter Braxton Jones.
The 23-year-old tackle dealt with injury issues last season and didn’t see an NFL field for the first time until this year. He has played in all four games for Chicago to this point and made one start prior to the Bears’ “Monday Night Football” showcase in Washington that is coming up on Oct. 13.
Benedet’s sole start came at right tackle in Week 4 against the Las Vegas Raiders in place of an injured Darnell Wright.
Bears head coach Ben Johnson made the announcement during a media session on Saturday.
“Yeah, it’ll be Theo,” Johnson said in response to a question about who would start at left tackle.
The move wasn’t a major surprise after the way the game against the Raiders played out two Sundays back.
Benedet began the contest at right tackle, but moved to the left side in the second quarter after Johnson shelved Jones. Rookie Ozzy Trapilo, a second-round pick, then took over at right tackle for Benedet.
Chicago (2-2) will play a Commanders team absent wide receivers Terry McLaurin and Noah Brown, both of whom will sit with injuries. Wideout Deebo Samuel will be a game-time decision, per Pro Football Talk.
The Bears lost a heartbreaker to the Commanders in Washington last year on Oct. 27 and will be looking for revenge on Monday night. The defeat came via a last-second, 52-yard Hail Mary from QB Jayden Daniels to Brown as time expired.
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