LAKE FOREST, Ill. (670 The Score) – The Bears entered training camp with a key position battle at left tackle. Now more than three weeks into their work, that competition is far from determined.
Bears head coach Ben Johnson on Friday admitted his team isn’t much closer to identifying its starter at left tackle. Three-year starter Braxton Jones, rookie Ozzy Trapilo, second-year pro Kiran Amegadjie and second-year pro Theo Benedet are the four players in the competition for the starting job.
“Hopefully some clarity,” Johnson said when asked what he’s seeking in that battle. “That’s what we’re looking for.
“We’d like to see someone make it clear to us that he is that guy.”
Jones returned for the start of training camp after a long rehabilitation process following an ankle injury and subsequent surgery last December. He has started 40 games for Chicago across the past three seasons.
Trapilo was a second-round pick of the Bears in April. Amegadjie was a third-round pick in 2024 and has been dealing with an undisclosed injury. Benedet entered the mix for the starting job earlier this week after no other contender had asserted himself.
The Bears have rotated all four tackles in with the starting offensive line.
However, Johnson has made it clear that he doesn’t want a rotation during the regular season.
The Bears’ goal is to decide a starter in this competition.
“Until somebody makes it clear, known that this is their job, we have to play this thing out,” Johnson said.
“This is not going to be a revolving door. That’s not what we want.”
The Bears will play their second preseason game Sunday, when they host the Bills at Soldier Field. The two teams are conducting a joint practice Friday at Halas Hall.
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago’s sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670.