The Chicago Bears' offensive line has been a bit of a merry-go-round since Ben Johnson took the helm as head coach. Revamping this crucial area was top of the list last offseason, with the Bears pouring resources into securing quality starters. However, maintaining consistency, particularly at left tackle, proved elusive.
Injuries and underperformance forced the Bears to shuffle through four different starters at left tackle. As Johnson enters his second season, clarity at this position remains as elusive as ever.
One thing is clear: Kiran Amegadjie won't be the starting left tackle. The Bears re-signed Braxton Jones and brought in Jedrick Wills Jr., signaling a potential end to Amegadjie's time in Chicago.
During the NFL annual meeting in Phoenix, Johnson addressed the left tackle situation. While he acknowledged the uncertainty isn't ideal, he emphasized the opportunity for a competitive battle at training camp. Notably absent from his list of potential starters was Amegadjie.
"Obviously, you'd love to have your long-term starter for the next ten years locked up. There's a lot of uncertainty right now, though...
So we're going to have an opportunity right now for a lot of competition. I feel good about Braxton being in that fold, Theo (Benedet) being in that fold. or Jedrick Wills, who has got a lot of talent himself," Johnson stated.
Interestingly, Johnson also mentioned the possibility of looking to the draft, staying true to their board without forcing a pick. If that means selecting another offensive tackle, the Bears are open to it.
The writing seems to be on the wall for Kiran Amegadjie. The Bears' current stance at left tackle, especially with Ozzy Trapilo recovering from a season-ending injury, doesn't include Amegadjie, which speaks volumes about his standing with the team.
Amegadjie found his rookie season challenging, allowing eight pressures across 126 snaps and earning a 39.4 pass-blocking grade, according to Pro Football Focus. His chance to impress the new coaching staff last year was derailed by a quad injury, leaving him sidelined for the entire 2025 season.
Benedet and Trapilo took the majority of snaps until Trapilo's playoff injury. Veteran Joe Thuney then stepped in and is currently the frontrunner to return to the position until Trapilo's recovery.
It's a tough spot for A+megadjie, once seen as a potential cornerstone. While he might get another look during training camp, it seems unlikely the Hillside, IL native will make it much further with the team.