Next Man Up: The Bears Tackle Dilemma
Chicago’s 2025 season has been plagued by injuries so far. The first blow was to the secondary, as multiple key pieces have faced concerns. Unfortunately for the Bears, the situation has only worsened. Starting right tackle Darnell Wright has been ruled out for the Week Four matchup against the Raiders. Chicago now must determine who takes the spot to protect Caleb Williams. On the bright side, they have a few options.
The first option, which seems the most likely, is Theo Benedet. Benedet has received first-team reps in practice with Wright sidelined. He first joined the team in 2024 as an undrafted free agent. However, he spent the entire year on the practice squad. This past preseason, he got the chance to play meaningful snaps and impressed the team. These reps helped him make the roster as one of the primary backup tackles. The team certainly hoped he would not be forced into the lineup this early, but there is hope he can fill in for the meantime. On the negative side, this hope is not reciprocated by the fan base.
Many fans have hope that the Bears will finally call on Ozzy Trapilo. The team is highly invested in Trapilo after spending a second-round pick on him. Unfortunately, he was not able to win a starting job this offseason. The hope then became that he would enter the season as the next man up. Once again, this was met by disappointment. He was a healthy scratch this past week, which made many fans concerned. While it is far too early to give up on him, the team has yet to show any trust. This creates major concerns about whether he will be able to live up to the value or if he will be another failed draft pick.
While the decision may seem clear for this week, it is sure to be something the team will monitor closely. The team certainly hopes this is a short-term injury. Next week, the Bears have a bye week, which gives Wright two weeks to heal up. Benedet may be given the first opportunity, but ideally, Trapilo awaits right behind him. Regardless of who starts, the team needs consistent play to keep the offense growing and progressing. This stretch now serves as a crucial test for Chicago’s depth and coaching ability.
