The Chicago Bears are red-hot right now - winners of nine of their last ten - and a big reason for that surge is what’s happening in the trenches. The offensive line is moving bodies, opening lanes for the run game, and giving Caleb Williams the kind of clean pockets most rookie quarterbacks only dream about. In short, the formula is working, and head coach Ben Johnson isn’t looking to mess with success.
That’s why Theo Benedet, a veteran presence on the offensive line, is staying on the sideline - at least for now. Johnson made it clear this week that rookie left tackle Ozzy Trapilo has earned his spot, and the team’s going to keep riding the hot hand.
“We're always going to play the guy that gives us the best chance to win the ballgame,” Johnson said, when asked about the decision. “I think he's an ascending player. He's still developing, and he's going to continue to get better the more reps he has.”
It’s a statement that reflects both confidence in Trapilo and a belief in what this offensive line is building. And honestly, the rookie has backed it up with his play. While his Pro Football Focus grades - 66.1 overall, 57.4 in pass protection, and 67.8 in run blocking - aren’t elite, they’re solid for a first-year player, especially one stepping into a high-pressure situation mid-season.
Compare that to Benedet’s numbers - a 56.4 overall grade, with 57.6 in pass pro and 61.8 in the run game - and it’s clear why the coaching staff is sticking with the rookie. Benedet has the experience, but Trapilo is holding his own and trending upward.
And the timing couldn’t be more critical. The Bears head to Lambeau Field this weekend for a divisional clash that carries major playoff implications.
Micah Parsons will be waiting on the other side of the line, and that’s a tall order for any tackle, let alone a rookie. But Trapilo has already shown he can stand up to elite pass rushers - his performance against the Eagles' front seven turned heads - and the Bears are betting he can do it again.
This isn’t just about one position battle. It’s about maintaining momentum and keeping a good thing going.
The Bears have found an identity - physical in the run game, efficient through the air - and it starts up front. Trapilo may not have the résumé of a seasoned vet, but right now, he’s giving Chicago exactly what it needs: stability, toughness, and a shot to win every week.
With the NFC North picture tightening and playoff seeding on the line, every decision matters. Johnson and his staff are showing they’re willing to trust the guys who are producing - regardless of age or draft status. And if Trapilo keeps playing like this, it’s going to be hard to take him off the field.