The Chicago Bears are not handing out the left tackle job just to get it settled.
Ben Johnson made that much clear as training camp rolls on, with the coaching staff still sorting through options and trying to find the right fit. The competition remains open, and the Bears are continuing to rotate players through the spot instead of locking in a winner too early.
That matters because this isn’t some side issue. Protecting Caleb Williams sits at the top of the Bears’ priority list, and left tackle has become one of the most important decisions in camp. Johnson and the staff know they need the right answer, even if it takes time to get there.
"We're going to continue to roll guys through. You know, Kiran certainly taking some reps over there.
Jedrick, Theo's in the mix. I mean, this is not a done deal by any stretch of the imagination.
We're going to continue to cycle guys through... Of course, but we'll go as long as we need to.
And even if that means into the season, we'll do whatever it takes."
Johnson’s message was straightforward: keep testing, keep evaluating, and don’t rush a call that could affect the offense for months. He did say he would prefer a quicker answer than the Bears had last season, but he also made it clear that speed won’t come before getting it right.
The team may have some clarity by the middle of next week, but Johnson isn’t treating that as a deadline. If the battle drags into the regular season, Chicago will still be dealing with uncertainty on Williams’ blindside, and that remains a problem the Bears are determined to solve the right way.
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The path is a crowded one, especially for a player trying to win over coaches while others around him bring special teams and return value into the mix. Davis does not need to be the headliner in this offense, but he does need to keep stacking practices and keep making the kind of case that is hard to ignore when roster decisions start getting real. [Read more 🡒]
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Odunze has stacked together the kind of highlight plays that get noticed quickly in August, and his case is simple enough. The Bears need someone to seize the primary pass-catching role, and the early returns suggest he is pushing hard to make that leap. Burdens availability remains a factor, but even with that uncertainty, this has become one of the more interesting camp decisions for Chicago as the offense tries to find a new lead option. [Read more 🡒]
Bears O Line Suddenly Has A Reason For Real Optimism
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The next step is less about rushing and more about timing, with the focus on getting him back into football work in a way that actually prepares him to play. Poles said the Bears are hoping to have Trapilo back for part of training camp or in September, which at least gives the offensive line a real target to circle. For a unit trying to build confidence heading into the season, the biggest question now is whether he can get through the kind of practice work that turns recovery into readiness. [Read more 🡒]