LAKE FOREST, Ill., — Thrust into action after having spent the entire offseason and a majority of the regular season playing right tackle behind third-year veteran Darnell Wright, rookie left tackle Ozzy Trapilo found a way to get the job done in his first career start at left tackle.
Throughout the afternoon, Trapilo, one of the Bears three second-round selections in 2025, remained calm and composed, figuring out a way to neutralize Steelers pass rusher Cameron Heyward, extending his streak of sackless games to five.
"Consistency," said head coach Ben Johnson. "He didn't miss a beat there. Communication was really good between him and (OL) Joe (Thuney). He did a nice job whenever he had help on his side of being slow to drag out and so he was helping out, being firm to the inside while allowing the guys outside of him to do their jobs."
Under general manager Ryan Poles, a key trait the front office and coaching staff have continued to value and emphasize on the offensive line is versatility. Prior to being drafted, Trapilo played nearly every position on the offensive line, except for center. The versatility he's bringing to the table as a young player has allowed the Bears offensive line to experiment with where he fits best, allowing the coaching staff to test out a number of different offensive line combinations.
"We've bounced him around," said Johnson. "Anytime, if you're not a starter then you really need versatility. These guys are all over the place. He's done a really good job of handling that."
One game is a small sample size for the Bears to evaluate in regards to the former Boston College product but it does provide a foundation for Trapilo to keep building upon.
"Tt's a great start for him to build on," said Johnson.
The past, present, and future
When the Bears drafted Trapilo back in April, the franchise saw a prospect with intriguing traits and a high football IQ. Ultimately, the Bears never expected Trapilo to come in and start on day one but Sunday's performance was a clear indication that he's come a long way since being drafted and that he can be a pivotal piece for the offense moving forward.
With cap space set to be limited next offseason, the Bears will need to get creative when addressing left tackle. Trapilo is under contract through the end of the 2027 season, and while veteran Braxton Jones and undrafted free agent Theo Benedet set to hit the open market, Trapilo could be the long-term solution for Chicago.
By the time next season rolls around, he'll have had a full year of taking mental and physical reps in the offense, allowing him to transition smoothly into being the starter, potentially developing into a building block in the process.
It's too early to start talking about 2026 for a team that's 8-3 but Trapilo was a reason the Bears found a way to extend their win streak on Sunday and he provides some hope for the future.
Not a VIP subscriber to the Bear Report? Sign up now to get access to everything publisher Zack Pearson and the entire Bear Report team have to offer on all things Chicago Bears and access to the No. 1 site covering the team!