LAKE FOREST, Ill. (670 The Score) — At the start of training camp, Bears rookie offensive tackle Ozzy Trapilo was part of a competition to start at left tackle. This past Sunday, he was a healthy scratch in the team's second game of the season.
Trapilo dropped out of the left tackle competition during the course of training camp as the Bears deemed he needed more time to develop.
“We made the decision that wasn’t the best spot for him, so we moved him back over on the right side,” Bears head coach Ben Johnson said. "He's getting better every day.
“He’s really showing up.”
The Bears selected Trapilo with 56th overall pick in the second round of the NFL Draft in April, hoping he could become a staple of their offensive line. While he didn't win a starting job in training camp and didn't dress this past Sunday, the team still has faith in the 23-year-old Trapilo, citing the adjustment to the NFL level.
Johnson noted that Trapilo had a strong showing in a full-contact practice Wednesday. Johnson saw Trapilo showcase his physicality in run blocking.
For Trapilo, his goal is to produce convincing reps in every practice.
“They have a plan,” Trapilo said. “It is what it is at this point. I’m keeping the same mentality – head down, work every day, do the best I can, put everything I can on tape and kind of let the rest take care of itself.
“Try not to stray from the plan. I’m just going to keep doing me every day.”
Bears rookie defensive tackle Shemar Turner was also a healthy scratch Sunday in Detroit. Johnson indicated that was largely related to Turner missing time in training camp with an ankle injury. Second-year offensive tackle Kiran Amegadjie, a third-round pick in 2024, was also inactive. He then suffered a potentially significant elbow injury during practice Wednesday.
After Trapilo fell out of the left tackle competition, he returned to his more familiar position on the right side. That meant backing up two-year starting right tackle Darnell Wright.
Early on, three-year starter Braxton Jones has held down the left tackle spot after having to regain his form in training camp following ankle surgery last December. Johnson has made it clear that the Bears will continue to evaluate their left tackle position.
Where Trapilo fits long-term isn't quite clear. His most extensive experience is at right tackle, where Wright has firmly established himself. However, the Bears have entered the idea of shifting Wright to left tackle. Such a change would likely occur in the offseason, not the regular season.
For now, all Trapilo can do is stack positive reps in practice. And that’s what the Bears see him doing.
“He’s coming along,” Johnson said. “And there will be a point this season where he’s playing for us. Is that this week or a few weeks down the road? I don’t know, I don’t know, but he’s preparing as if he’s ready to go.”
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago’s sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670.