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Theo Benedet Enters Bears’ LT Competition

August 15th, 2025 at 8:44pm CST by Adam La Rose

One of the Bears’ top training camp battles has come at the left tackle spot. The competition is ongoing, and a fourth contender appears to have emerged.

[RELATED: Recapping Bears’ Offseason]

Theo Benedet has seen time with the starting offense during three practices this week, as detailed by ESPN’s Courtney Cronin. The 2024 undrafted free agent spent last season on Chicago’s practice squad, but with the left tackle competition being labeled wide open by new head coach Ben Johnson, opportunities have presented themselves recently. Benedet worked at left and right tackle during the Bears’ preseason opener.

“He’s right in the middle of it,” Johnson said. “I’ve been very, very excited about Theo and what he’s done both on the right and the left side. He was probably overlooked to start this competition, but the longer this thing’s gone on, there’s a strong argument for what he’s put on tape.”

Benedet entered the NFL after playing collegiately in Canada. The University of British Columbia product has yet to play a regular season snap, so it would certainly come as a surprise if he were to land the Week 1 job. Still, the fact that Benedet, 23, has inserted himself into the conversation is noteworthy. Incumbent Braxton Jones recently received full medical clearance and he has also seen time with the starters up front during camp.

Second-round rookie Ozzy Trapilo has worked at both tackle spots this summer. The Boston College alum primarily operated as a right tackle in college, but he could find himself on the blindside depending on how the coming weeks play out. 2024 third-rounder Kiran Amegadjie has been in the mix, although he found himself with the third-team offense on Wednesday (h/t Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune). The Yale product has missed considerable time this summer with a leg injury, hindering his chances of winning the starting gig. Johnson aims to have a clear-cut winner in place soon, and the upcoming preseason game could prove to be telling.

“We’ll go as long as we need to go to find the right guy,” Johnson said (via Cronen). “But we’d like to see someone go ahead and make it clear to us that he is that guy and we just haven’t seen that yet as a staff. There’s been too much up and down.”

Each of the candidates for the left tackle gig could see action on Sunday against the Bills. It will be interesting to see how Benedet in particular fares as the Bears seek out clarity regarding the overall depth chart up front.

Braxton Jones Receives Clearance; Bears Holding LT Competition

July 23rd, 2025 at 1:32pm CST by Sam Robinson

Braxton Jones made a quick leap from Division I-FCS blocker to starting NFL left tackle as a rookie, moving into the Bears’ starting lineup despite being a 2022 fifth-round pick. As Jones prepares for a contract year, however, the situation has changed.

The Bears have seen their three-year LT starter receive clearance, according to the Chicago Tribune’s Brad Biggs. Although Jones will need a ramp-up period as he wraps up his return from ankle surgery, he avoided the active/PUP list to open training camp. That is significant, but the Bears are not planning to give him the blindside gig without competition this year.

Kiran Amegadjie and Ozzy Trapilo, respectively chosen on Day 2 of the past two drafts, are competing with Jones for the LT post, ESPN’s Courtney Cronin notes. Ben Johnson referred to Jones’ experience making him the frontrunner, but the new HC referred to this as a true competition. That differs from how Chicago has proceeded at LT over the previous two summers.

Jones, 26, has started all 40 games he has played as a pro. This included 17 during the Bears’ woeful 2022 season. Over the past two years, though, the Southern Utah product has missed a combined 11 games. This included five due to knee and ankle injuries last season.

The fractured ankle Jones sustained in December defined his offseason, as he was a nonparticipant and rumored to be destined for the active/PUP list come training camp. Jones will at least have a better chance to stake his claim to keep the blindside job now that he has avoided it, but the new Bears staff will greenlight a challenge after the two abbreviated seasons.

Trapilo probably represents the bigger threat here, seeing as he is a second-round pick chosen on Johnson’s watch. Other than Darnell Wright, Trapilo is the Bears’ highest-drafted tackle (No. 56 overall) since Gabe Carimi (Round 1, 2011). Technically, Teven Jenkins (No. 39, 2021) was a tackle draftee; but he spent three years at guard in Chicago. The Bears appear prepared to, at the very least, groom the 6-foot-8 Trapilo for long-term LT duty.

Trapilo took first-team reps with the Bears’ first-stringers during team periods in their first camp workout, per Cronin. With Jones needing a bit of time to reacclimate, this does not seem to indicate Trapilo has an early lead. But it would point to the new staff having a slightly higher opinion of him than Amegadjie, chosen in Round 3 during Matt Eberflus‘ truncated final year on the job. The Yale alum missed a chunk of his rookie season due to injury, playing 125 snaps in six games.

Pro Football Focus has graded Jones as a top-35 tackle in each of his three seasons. This includes 19th- and 22nd-place rankings in 2022 and ’24. An opportunity exists for Jones to bolster his 2026 free agency stock by fending off the younger players for the gig. As of now, it does not look like he is a particularly important extension candidate in Chicago. A good contract year would place him as a high-end 2026 free agent. The next several weeks will be pivotal in forging this path.

Bears LT Braxton Jones Expected To Be Limited In Training Camp

April 19th, 2025 at 6:53pm CST by Adam La Rose

Braxton Jones missed the final two games of the 2024 campaign due to ankle surgery, a procedure which ensured a lengthy recovery timeline. The latest update on his recovery notes Chicago’s starting left tackle is making progress, but he is unlikely to be back to 100% in time for training camp.

“I think he’s right on track,” new head coach Ben Johnson said of Jones (via ESPN’s Courtney Cronin). “Will that mean he’s limited in training camp? I would say probably at this point, but I think the progress is right where it needs to be right now.”

Jones has made 40 starts during his three years in Chicago, and the former fifth-rounder is currently in position to handle first-team blindside duties once more in 2025. The coming campaign is a critical one for Jones, since it marks the final year of his rookie contract. A full season – something which the Southern Utah product has managed only once so far – would go a long way in determining his market value.

The Bears have prioritized upgrading along the interior of the O-line this offseason. Trades for Jonah Jackson and Joe Thuney provided the team with new starting guards, and center Drew Dalman received a lucrative deal in free agency. With right tackle Darnell Wright in position to continue as a starter for 2025, every spot up front is accounted for aside from left tackle. Jones’ ability to recover in full will be key as he looks to retain a starting gig ahead of other options, such as 2024 third-rounder Kiran Amegadjie.

Free agency in 2025 showed the willingness of teams to spend big at left tackle even for players with age/injury concerns or spotty track records of performance. Jones, 26, has drawn strong PFF evaluations for his pass protection in particular, with his best overall mark (77.4) coming in 2024. Continuing to develop could earn him a long-term stay in the Windy City, so his ability to return to full health this summer will be worth monitoring.

In other Bears health news, Johnson said he “believes” safety Jaquan Brisker has been cleared in full after his latest concussion. The three-year starter has been diagnosed with a concussion during each season of his NFL career, but Brisker himself noted he is healthy now. He added the total number of concussions he has suffered is not a concern and that he is “in a great spot” with respect to his brain health.

Just likes Jones, Brisker is on track to see his rookie deal expire next offseason. After playing just five games in 2024, a healthy slate will be a key target as he looks to remain an impactful starter in Chicago’s secondary. Avoiding further concussions would obviously go a long way toward that goal, and Brisker will enter camp in a good situation on that front.

Minor NFL Transactions: 12/23/24

December 23rd, 2024 at 8:30pm CST by Ben Levine

Today’s minor moves:

Baltimore Ravens

Carolina Panthers

Chicago Bears

Cincinnati Bengals

Detroit Lions

Green Bay Packers

Houston Texans

Indianapolis Colts

Kansas City Chiefs

Tennessee Titans

The Titans’ decision to move on from Brayden Narveson comes as a bit of a surprise following this weekend’s roster machinations. The organization didn’t only promote the kicker from the practice squad…they also signed him through the 2025 campaign. With Nick Folk apparently approaching full health, the Titans have decided to stick with the veteran and move on from his fill-in.

Narveson’s stint with the Titans featured only a single appearance, when he missed his lone field goal attempt and converted two extra points in yesterday’s loss. Narveson spent the beginning of the season in Green Bay, where he converted 12 of his 17 field goal attempts.

Bears Believe LT Braxton Jones Suffered Fractured Ankle

December 23rd, 2024 at 10:34am CST by Adam La Rose

Braxton Jones exited the Bears’ game on Sunday, and the severity of his injury suggested a lengthy absence would be forthcoming. The third-year left tackle is indeed facing a long road to recovery.

Jones had his left leg placed in an air cast before being carted off the field during Chicago’s loss to Detroit. Further examination is required at this point, but the initial indications point to a season-ending injury. Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports Jones is believed to have suffered a fractured ankle.

Per Rapoport, Jones is currently thought to have suffered a break in his fibula, but not his tibia. While that diagnosis could of course change based on further testing, a four-month recovery timeline is now in place. At a minimum, the 25-year-old will not be available for the Bears’ final two games this season. Jones will indeed undergo season-ending surgery, per Scott Bair of the Marquee Sports Network.

Jones has operated as Chicago’s starter on the blindside since arriving as a rookie. The former fifth-rounder has remained consistent in terms of PFF evaluation throughout his career, ranking 19th amongst qualified tackles in overall grade in 2022. That matches where Jones currently ranks this season, one which has been defined in no small part for the Bears by an inability to consistently provide strong blocking up front. Jones has been charged with five sacks and 26 pressures allowed, but his absence will be felt to close out the campaign.

Kiran Amegadjie is in an option to take over blindside duties in the wake of Jones’ absence. The third-round rookie has seen 126 total snaps in 2024, all at the left tackle spot. Amegadjie got the nod for Week 15 against the Vikings with Jones out due to a concussion, but he struggled in that contest. Overall, quarterback Caleb Williams has taken a league-leading 60 sacks partially due to the Bears’ struggles along the O-line.

That unit will be the subject of considerable scrutiny this offseason, and few certainties exist up front for Chicago heading into 2025. Jones has one more year remaining on his rookie contract, meaning he will be eligible for an extension shortly. Regardless of if he receives one, he will not be on the field again until next year.

Bears’ Darnell Wright Suffers MCL Sprain

November 4th, 2024 at 9:56pm CST by Ben Levine

The Bears are now down two starting offensive tackles, but there is light at the end of the tunnel. After being knocked out of yesterday’s game with a knee injury, right tackle Darnell Wright has been diagnosed with an MCL sprain, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. The lineman was set to undergo an MRI today to determine the severity, but it sounds like he avoided a season-ending injury.

Wright left yesterday’s loss during the second half and was replaced by practice squad call-up Jake Curhan. Even a mild sprain will likely force Wright to sit out a few games, meaning the 2023 first-round pick would be set to miss his first career game. Pro Football Focus wasn’t especially fond of the lineman’s performance as a rookie, but they’ve ranked Wright 26th this season among 77 eligible OTs.

Wright’s injury came at an especially unfortunate time for the Bears, who were already operating without starting left tackle Braxton Jones. The lineman was knocked out of Chicago’s Week 8 contest with a knee injury, and he was ultimately inactive for Week 9. However, Jones might only miss one more game, as Rapoport reports that the lineman is considered week-to-week. PFF has ranked Jones 30th this season at his position.

The Bears will have to get a bit creative with OL configuration assuming both Jones and Wright miss Week 10. Kiran Amegadjie is also currently sidelined, so the Bears had to dig into their depth yesterday. Larry Borom was activated off IR and immediately inserted into the starting lineup, and Curhan made his season debut while filling in for Wright. If necessary, the team could consider moving guard Matt Pryor, who has experience playing OT.

Bears Activate LT Braxton Jones Off IR

November 4th, 2023 at 2:11pm CST by Ely Allen

More help is on the way for the Bears’ offensive line as a senior writer for the team, Larry Mayer, reports that Chicago has activated second-year offensive tackle Braxton Jones from injured reserve. After activating starting guard Teven Jenkins a month ago, the left side should continue to improve with the return of last year’s starting left tackle.

Jones became a Week 1 starter as a rookie last season despite making the jump to the NFL from Division I-FCS school Southern Utah. The fifth-round pick adjusted well, starting all 17 games and performing admirably. His sophomore season had a rockier start, though, as a Week 2 neck injury prompted the Bears to exercise excess caution and place him on IR.

In his place, Chicago has returned to a formerly displaced starter in Larry Borom, but through six starts in relief, Borom has consistently ranked in the bottom ten of qualifying NFL tackles in rankings provided by Pro Football Focus. The team took Tennessee rookie Darnell Wright in the first round of this year’s draft but placed him at right tackle, showing their confidence in Jones as their blindside blocker moving forward.

Even now, with Jenkins and Jones finally reuniting with the first-team unit, the Bears’ offensive line is still a bit banged up as starting right guard Nate Davis has already been declared out for the third straight week. Lucas Patrick, who has started in Davis’ place to past two games, will likely hear his name called to play with the starters once again.

In order to make room for Jones on the active roster, the Bears waived fellow 2022 draftee Doug Kramer, who was drafted a round after Jones last year. Kramer spent his entire rookie season on IR and then spent the first six weeks of this season on IR before being activate for Week 7. After only playing two snaps, Kramer sees his way off the roster. If he clears waivers, Chicago may choose to bring him back on the practice squad.

Speaking of the practice squad, the Bears also made the decision to promote linebacker Micah Baskerville from the practice squad as a standard gameday elevation for tomorrow. If he sees the field, it will be the undrafted LSU rookie’s NFL debut.

Bears Designate LT Braxton Jones, DL Khalid Kareem For Return

October 25th, 2023 at 11:56am CST by Sam Robinson

Already using the IR-return system to bring back Teven Jenkins, the Bears are moving closer to their left tackle returning. The team designated Braxton Jones for return Wednesday, Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune tweets.

This will start Jones’ 21-day activation clock. The second-year blocker landed on IR due to a neck injury after Week 2. He has been eligible to come back since last week, and given the nature of this injury, it represents a positive the Bears started the clock today. Jones not being activated in three weeks would lead him to season-ending IR. The Bears also designated defensive lineman Khalid Kareem for return from IR.

Jones quickly acclimated to the pro game, going from a fifth-round pick out of a Division I-FCS school (Southern Utah) to becoming the Bears’ Week 1 left tackle as a rookie. Jones started all 17 games as a rookie but encountered a speedbump this year. While last year’s No. 168 overall pick did not miss a snap in Week 2, the neck injury he played through prompted the Bears to exercise caution and stash him on IR.

Chicago has used swing tackle Larry Borom in place of Jones. A former starter whom Riley Reiff displaced at right tackle during the 2022 season, Borom now has 22 career starts on his resume. A fifth-round pick out of Missouri in 2021, Borom has offered experience opposite rookie right-sider Darnell Wright. Pro Football Focus, however, has rated Borom outside the top 60 at tackle this season. PFF rated Jones as a top-20 tackle in 2022.

Jones’ return will stand to help Justin Fields, though the Bears’ blindside bastion may be back before their starting quarterback. Fields is not expected to play in Week 8, leaving Tyson Bagent on track to start another game. The first Division II-developed QB to make an NFL start since 2010, Bagent could play behind the Bears’ five first-string O-linemen. The Bears have five IR activations remaining this season.

Bears Move LT Braxton Jones To IR

September 20th, 2023 at 12:31pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Bears now have two starting offensive linemen on IR. Braxton Jones joined Teven Jenkins on the injured list Wednesday. The second-year left tackle sustained a neck injury.

Jones has started all 19 NFL games he has played, going from Division I-FCS-produced fifth-round pick to the Bears’ Week 1 blindside starter last year. He now must miss at least four contests. Larry Borom, a previous Chicago starter, and Ja’Tyre Carter reside as replacement options, per Matt Eberflus.

Not only has Jones never missed a game, he has been on the field for every Bears offensive snap since debuting last year. But the Southern Utah alum’s career will pause for the time being. While Jenkins was once viewed as a left tackle, Jones has since taken over the role. The guard move has proven effective for Jenkins, with the 2021 second-rounder showing far more promise inside. Jenkins is out until at least Week 5; Wednesday’s transaction will sideline Jones until at least Week 7.

The Bears, who also played without free agent signing Nate Davis in Week 2, have Jones and Jenkins installed as staples on a reconstructed O-line. Jenkins is set to move to left guard upon return, joining Cody Whitehair in changing positions. Though, Whitehair — tabbed to move back to center — is still at guard due to Jenkins’ injury. The Bears have used 2022 free agency pickup Lucas Patrick at center to start the season. Jones, however, was the only Bears starting blocker asked to stay in the same position he played last season.

A 2021 fifth-round pick out of Missouri, Borom has 17 starts on his NFL resume. The Bears have primarily used Borom at right tackle, though he did not hang onto the gig to close last season. Riley Reiff replaced Borom during the 2022 slate, and even after Reiff departed in free agency this year, Wright coming off the board at No. 10 overall gave him a clear path to the first-string gig. Carter, a 2022 seventh-rounder, filled in for Davis last week but has only played in four career games.

To replace Jones on their 53-man roster, the Bears signed tackle Aviante Collins off their practice squad. Despite entering the NFL as a 2017 UDFA, Collins has played in just seven career games. He most recently saw time as a Cowboys backup last season.

NFC North Notes: Hooker, Bears, OL, Packers

May 9th, 2023 at 4:04pm CST by Sam Robinson

Hendon Hooker‘s age (25) likely served as one of the factors for his fall into Round 3. The ACL tear the Tennessee product sustained in November undoubtedly led to him tumbling out of the second round, his widely viewed floor. The Lions now have a developmental quarterback who, despite being drafted seven years after Jared Goff, is barely three years younger than the Detroit starter. Dan Campbell did not view Hooker’s age as a major issue.

“We did go into this offseason saying that we wanted to bring in some competition at quarterback,” Campbell said during an appearance on Green Light with Chris Long podcast (h/t Pro Football Talk). “We didn’t know exactly where that might be, who that would be at the time, but we did like Hooker. We knew he was coming off the injury, but there was something about him that was appealing. He’s very mature; he looks the part; he’s got a big arm. H’s just got to learn to play in the NFL. He’s a pro, now, and I like the fact that he was older. We all kind liked the fact that he was older. I think you want your quarterback to be more mature.”

The Lions have begun discussions on a Goff extension. For now, the third-year Detroit starter is tied to his Rams-constructed deal that runs through 2024. Although Hooker should not be viewed as an heir apparent just yet, his rookie deal runs through 2026. Here is the latest from the NFC North:

  • The Bears are set to hold a center competition between Cody Whitehair and Lucas Patrick. GM Ryan Poles said he is comfortable with either the longtime guard — who began his NFL career as a center — or the 2022 free agency pickup at center, Courtney Cronin of ESPN.com tweets. Whitehair, 31 in July, has started 107 games for the Bears, who drafted him in the 2016 second round. He spent the first three seasons of his career at center and has been on the radar to move since the Nate Davis free agent signing. A two-year Packers starter, Patrick started only five Bears games during an injury-plagued 2022 season.
  • Chicago will also move Teven Jenkins from right guard to left guard, Cronin adds (on Twitter), to accommodate Davis. The free agent pickup worked as the Titans’ starting right guard from 2019-22. Jenkins will soon move to a fourth O-line position. The Bears tried him at both tackle spots and dangled him in trade talks last year, but they saw the 2021 second-rounder show promise at guard last season. The other new Bears full-timer up front last season, Braxton Jones, is not moving from left tackle. Despite the addition of first-rounder Darnell Wright, Bears O-line coach Chris Morgan said (via Cronin) the team will keeping Jones at left tackle going into training camp. Wright logged more starts at right tackle (27) than left tackle (13) at Tennessee.
  • Set to hold their rookie minicamp later this week, the Lions will arrange for XFL return man Darrius Shepherd to try out. The XFL announced Shepherd, who also caught 48 passes for 519 yards with the St. Louis BattleHawks this season, will attend the Lions’ rookie camp. The 27-year-old wideout, a former UDFA out of North Dakota State, played for the Packers from 2019-20 but did not see NFL game action over the past two years.
  • One of the signees from this year’s International Pathway Program, the Packers‘ Kenneth Odumegwu, has never played organized football, Matt Schneidman of The Athletic tweets. The program, which expanded to two divisions (NFC North, AFC West) for the first time this year, provides an extra practice squad spot for an international player.
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