LAKE FOREST, Ill. (670 The Score) -- Throughout the course of this preseason, the Bears’ most notable competition was at left tackle. It’s now less than two weeks until kickoff on the regular season and the winner of that battle isn’t clear.
Bears head coach Ben Johnson declined to name a starter at left tackle, saying that it will be clear next week ahead of the Sept. 8 opener with the Vikings at Soldier Field. Three-year starter Braxton Jones is considered the favorite to retain his position.
While Johnson was mum about how the competition played out, he made it clear that this will be an ongoing evaluation.
"We feel good about the guys we have in that room,” Johnson said Tuesday. “Somebody is going to take the bull by the horns and take over. But we're not afraid to make a change if the performance isn't where it needs to be."
The Bears could also explore the market through waivers or a trade at left tackle, though the team has remained confident in Jones following his offseason rehabilitation.
The Bears began training camp in late July with Jones competing against rookie Ozzy Trapilo and second-year player Kiran Amegadjie. But as the work progressed, the team moved Trapilo and Amegadjie into reserve roles and offered second-year tackle Theo Benedet the chance to compete with Jones.
Jones returned from an ankle injury suffered late last December, overcoming an offseason recovery in time for the start of training camp.
“Like, I really had to sit back and realize that I have a purpose that's bigger than myself at the end of the day and it's to serve that,” Jones said early this month. “There is a lot of things that go into, you think about that and can get down on yourself or whatever it is. You know, I've definitely had those days for sure, but I think at the end of the day, I'm already grateful to be in the position that I'm in, that I've got three years of good starting experience. Like, I'm extremely grateful.
“It’s just putting that out in front and realizing those good things and then still having that mental edge too like I did with this injury. It’s given me a new mental edge of having, like, ‘I’ve got more to even prove.’”
The Bears are not required to name their starter publicly. If Johnson remains mum, that player may not be known until prior to kickoff at Soldier Field.
The Bears anticipate Pro Bowl cornerback Jaylon Johnson will be on their active roster to open the season, this instead of being designated with an injury. Johnson has been on the non-football injury list with a leg issue.
The Bears plan to carry three quarterbacks on their initial roster, Johnson said. Caleb Williams is established as the starter entering his second season, while Tyson Bagent and Case Keenum will serve as the backups.
"I feel strongly about that room," Johnson said.
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago’s sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670.