Bears Facing Critical Decision at Left Tackle Ahead of Divisional Clash with Rams
The Chicago Bears are heading into their biggest game of the season with a major question mark protecting the blind side.
After last week’s win over the Green Bay Packers, the team confirmed that starting left tackle Ozzy Trapilio suffered a torn patellar tendon and will miss the remainder of the playoffs. That injury didn’t just take out a key piece of the offensive line - it threw the entire unit into flux with the divisional round looming.
Now, all eyes are on head coach Ben Johnson and how he plans to fill that void. The Bears have a few options, but none come without risk.
The Options: Benedet, Jones, or a Bigger Shuffle?
The most straightforward choice would be plugging Theo Benedet back in at left tackle. Benedet stepped in earlier this season when Braxton Jones went down, holding the starting job from Week 4 through Week 12. He’s familiar with the role, and that move would allow the rest of the offensive line to stay intact - a big deal when continuity is everything in the trenches.
There’s also the possibility of returning to Braxton Jones, who started the season at left tackle before his injury. But there’s a third option that’s reportedly under serious consideration - and it’s the one stirring up the most debate.
According to a Saturday report, the Bears are weighing a more drastic move: shifting All-Pro left guard Joe Thuney out to left tackle, and sliding either Jordan McFadden or Luke Newman into Thuney’s usual spot at guard.
Thuney at Tackle? Bears Fans Remember How That Went
This isn’t the first time Thuney has been asked to step outside his comfort zone. Last season, he was pressed into left tackle duty for the Kansas City Chiefs late in the year - including during their Super Bowl LIX run.
The results? Let’s just say they weren’t ideal.
In those three games (Weeks 15-17 and the playoffs), Thuney allowed 10 pressures and two sacks, according to Pro Football Focus. His pass-blocking grade during that stretch was 63.4, while his run-blocking grade dipped to 58.9. Not exactly the kind of numbers you want to see when you’re about to face a Rams defensive front that thrives on disruption.
Fast forward to this season, and Thuney has returned to elite form at left guard. He’s allowed just 20 pressures in 18 games - that’s All-Pro level production. So the idea of moving him out of position now, especially in the postseason, raises a fair question: is it worth weakening one position to patch another?
The Guard Dilemma: Inexperienced Options Behind Thuney
If Thuney does move, the Bears would likely turn to either Jordan McFadden or Luke Newman at left guard. That’s a tough ask in a playoff game.
McFadden has been primarily a special teams contributor this season, while Newman has barely seen the field on offense - just 25 snaps total, with 22 of those coming in Week 12 against Pittsburgh when Jonah Jackson went down.
That’s not a ton of experience to lean on, especially with Aaron Donald and the Rams’ front seven looming.
Benedet: Not Perfect, But Familiar
That brings us back to Benedet. The 24-year-old has had an up-and-down year, particularly in pass protection.
In his last start - Week 18 against Detroit - Aidan Hutchinson racked up eight pressures. And during his earlier stretch as the starting left tackle, Benedet gave up 22 pressures and two sacks over 281 pass-blocking snaps.
But it hasn’t been all bad. Benedet has shown flashes in the run game, posting a 60.7 run-blocking grade over that same stretch, per PFF. And for a Bears offense that needs to establish the ground game to keep the Rams' pass rush honest, that matters.
A Game-Time Decision with Playoff Stakes
This isn’t just a depth chart shuffle. It’s a decision that could shape the outcome of the Bears’ postseason.
Do you trust Benedet’s familiarity and keep the line stable? Or do you gamble on Thuney’s versatility and hope McFadden or Newman can hold their own under the playoff spotlight?
Ben Johnson has a tough call to make - and not much time to make it. Bears fans are hoping for the safer route: keep Thuney where he’s been dominant, and let Benedet take the reins at tackle. But in the playoffs, nothing is off the table.
We’ll find out soon enough which path the Bears take. One thing’s for sure - the choice at left tackle could be one of the defining storylines of tonight’s game.