As much as Chicago Bears fans might not like to admit it, they now have a priority even higher than fixing the defensive line: finding a left tackle.
With Ozzy Trapilo going down due to a serious patellar tendon injury that will require a long recovery, this team’s left tackle for the 2026 season might not be on the roster. Though Theo Benedet was a nice story for half the season, he clearly wasn’t trustworthy enough to start in the Divisional Round, leading the Bears to bump left guard Joe Thuney
outside. That should tell you all you need to know.
“I think that the idea that pass rush is the most important priority for this team this offseason—I think it’s changed a little bit. Because we will judge Ryan Poles most harshly on what happens with the offensive line at left tackle,” ESPN’s Courtney Cronin said earlier this week on ESPN Chicago. “I think that that [Ozzy Trapilo’s knee injury] changed what the Priority No. 1 has to be in the offseason. … You cannot allow the left tackle spot to be a revolving door, and I don’t think the answer is on the roster.”
That does not, of course, mean “don’t address the defensive line,” as she clarified later to enthusiastic fans. But it does mean the Bears can’t afford not to look for a new left tackle, especially since we have no idea if Trapilo will ever be back to his pre-injury effectiveness. (Keep in mind, also, that Braxton Jones is about to be a free agent, and it doesn’t appear the Bears will be bringing him back.)
After all, the No. 1 priority on this team, as it has been for other good organizations, should be protecting the franchise quarterback. That’s what the Chiefs did for years in front of Patrick Mahomes. That’s what the Patriots did this past season, drafting Will Campbell at No. 4 overall to protect Drake Maye’s blind side. Making sure Caleb Williams stays upright in his critical third season, which could determine whether or not he could truly become an NFL superstar, is of paramount importance. And if you have to pick one to go harder at, I’m picking the quarterback. Sorry. (I know it’s counterintuitive for this organization, but it’s the truth.)
With that in mind, what do the Bears do to fix the position?
They could go with a solid veteran like Jermaine Eluemunor, who has performed well in places like Las Vegas and New York despite being on bad teams. He probably won’t cost that much, either, having just played on a two-year, $14 million deal. But at 31 years old, he doesn’t feel like a long-term solution at the position, and he’s not so great that it should preclude the Bears from thinking bigger.
The Bears’ draft position and the lack of amazing tackle options leaves them in something of a bind, though. There don’t seem to be many worthy of the No. 25 pick, and trusting tackles taken later in the draft can be dicey.
That said, Chicago had excellent luck with Trapilo, who no doubt would’ve been the team’s starting left tackle heading into 2026 had he remained healthy. So perhaps the right Day 2 pick could be a hit here.
For those who like connections, Boston College’s Logan Taylor might be an option worth exploring later. (We all know how much Ryan Poles loves a Boston College kid.)
He’s reportedly having a good Senior Bowl so far, holding his own against forces like Florida’s Caleb Banks at right guard. Moreover, it’s worth wondering if he might even be somewhat miscast as a guard, at 6-6, 305 pounds with arms longer than 34 inches. If his movement skills look worthy of it, that might be a project either for eventually replacing Jonah Jackson at right guard or working him at left tackle. (Taylor started more than 15 games at left tackle during his highly experienced college career.)
Aside from that, perhaps the Bears could see if massive Northwestern left tackle Caleb Tiernan (6-7, 325 pounds) is worth a look. His arms are a little short, though more “Will Campbell”-short than “Peter Skoronski”-short, if you remember that whole debate. And though his wingspan might end up being better than Campbell’s, people do like their thresholds.
That said, if you want production, Tiernan’s got it: his ridiculous 82.7 pass-protection grade ranks 21st in all of FBS. Also, his technique and effort make him look like a guy who can play despite having below-average arms for a tackle, much like Campbell has so far (minus the playoffs).
One way or another, don’t sleep on left tackle as a major priority—perhaps even the majority priority—for Chicago this offseason. The defensive trench additions will (and must) come. But this team can’t abandon its mission to lock down its left tackle spot.
