The Chicago Bears finally address the offensive tackle position from outside the organization.
Chicago is facing some issues with left tackle Ozzy Trapilo being out for the first part of the season due to his raptured patellar tendon he suffered in the NFC Wild Card game against the Green Bay Packers. The Bears first re-signed Braxton Jones to a one-year deal to help with the left tackle position.
A new move has been made as ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter reported the Bears have signed offensive tackle Jedrick Wills Jr. to a one-year deal. Wills played just five games in 2024 as he suffered a knee injury and decided to sit out the 2025 season to recover.
Bears turn to Jedrick Wills at left tackle to compete with Braxton Jones
Wills was the 10th overall pick of the 2020 NFL Draft by the Browns, where he has played from 2020 through 2025. He started 57 of 58 games in his NFL career.
Now this creates a new training-camp battle at left tackle, as he will face off against Jones for the right to be the full-time starter. Trapilo is expected to be back sometime in the second half of the season at left tackle, so Wills and Jones will battle it out in camp to hold down the job for a good part of the season.
The rest of the offensive line should be in good position, with Joe Thuney, Darnell Wright, and Jonah Jackson back from last season. At center, it will be Garrett Bradbury replacing Drew Dalman at center after Dalman retired from the NFL at the age of 27.
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Chicago is in a decent position at left tackle but have to hold on tight until Trapilo returns to the lineup sometime in 2026.