Ozzy Trapilo, Philadelphia Eagles
Ozzy Trapilo, Philadelphia Eagles
The Chicago Bears expected Ozzy Trapilo’s knee injury to disrupt most, if not all, of his 2026 season. Now the question is no longer whether he will play this year. Instead, it is just when he fits back into the lineup.
Trapilo suffered a patellar tendon injury during Chicago’s playoff win over Green Bay in January, an injury serious enough to make his availability for this season a major question. But the second-year tackle has progressed quickly, returned to practice in August and is now participating fully in padded sessions. Bears coach Ben Johnson says the decision is getting closer.
“It’s just a matter of time now before we feel like he’s ready for a game,” Johnson said Wednesday.
NFL: Chicago Bears at Cincinnati Bengals
Aug 22, 2026; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson stands on the sidelines during the second half in the game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paycor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Katie Stratman-Imagn Images
That is a dramatic shift from where Trapilo was expected to be early in the season. The Bears have been careful with his workload, choosing not to activate him for the first two games even after he was listed as a full participant last Friday.
But full participation in shorts is different from taking live reps. Wednesday’s practice was a meaningful checkpoint because it gave Chicago a chance to see whether Trapilo can absorb the power, balance and contact required from an NFL left tackle. Johnson said the young lineman is still rebuilding confidence in the repaired knee.
“I think he still is gaining confidence in just being able to put all of his weight in it and being a powerful player,” Johnson noted. “And yet, in some ways, he’s a little bit more flexible and fluid than he was before, which is amazing.”
That optimism creates an intriguing problem for the Bears.
Chicago Bears
Nov 16, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; A Chicago Bears helmet sits on the field prior to a game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images
Braxton Jones has quietly held up at left tackle. He has started both games, and Chicago has rotated Theo Benedet in to keep him fresh. Jones played 55 offensive snaps against Minnesota, while Benedet handled 19. The rotation is intentional, not a punishment.
“Braxton’s been pretty good,” Johnson declared. “I think he’s done a nice job. We talked about platooning him just a little bit there with Theo, just to keep him fresh late in games.”
Jones has allowed no sacks and only two pressures across 67 pass-blocking snaps this season, according to Pro Football Focus. Benedet has allowed no sacks or pressures on his limited opportunities.
That does not mean the Bears should forget about Trapilo.
Chicago drafted him in the second round because it viewed him as an important part of its offensive-line future. His blend of size, movement skills and power gave the Bears a potential long-term answer at left tackle. Before the injury, he was expected to take another step this season. The encouraging play from Jones and Benedet gives Johnson something valuable: time.
The Bears do not need to force Trapilo back against the Eagles’ defensive front just because he has practiced. They can keep evaluating his recovery week by week, make sure he can trust the knee and allow him to build the conditioning necessary to survive an NFL game.
That is particularly important now, as Caleb Williams is working through a hamstring injury. Tyson Bagent remains in concussion protocol and Case Keenum may start Monday night. Whoever plays quarterback will need dependable protection, and Chicago cannot afford to introduce another question mark up front.
Trapilo’s return should make the offensive line better eventually. But after an injury that once threatened to erase his entire season, the Bears are right to make sure he is fully ready rather than merely available.
For now, Jones and Benedet have made that patience possible. And once Trapilo is cleared for real, Johnson will have a decision he did not expect to face this early: stay with the players who have stabilized the position, or hand the job back to the young tackle Chicago believes can become something more.