The Bears 2026 Left Tackle Battle Is Starting to Take Shape
In 2025, the Chicago Bears had one of their best offensive seasons in recent team history. One of the biggest reasons for that was the offensive line. The unit controlled the field, allowing open lanes for the running backs. Additionally, they held up well in pass protection, giving plenty of time for receivers to get open. However, the team lost two starters, as center Drew Dalman retired and left tackle Ozzy Trapilo got hurt. Both positions will be fierce battles this offseason, but when focusing on left tackle, there are a wide number of options to see who can step up in 2026. Despite the steep competition, one familiar name has begun to control the narrative.
Braxton Jones is entering his fifth season in Chicago, where he has made 44 starts and has been a reliable player. In his career, the former fifth-round pick has never been a game-changing athlete, but has usually been a safe and quality starter. Jones' familiarity with the team, as well as his new one-year deal, gave many fans the expectation that he would be the starter. This led to the 27-year-old being one of the top players who could surprise fans the most in 2026. In the first few days of practice, this has looked the case, as he has spent a lot of time with the first team. However, he left practice early on August 6th. It sounds like he avoided a serious injury, but a potential absence leaves the door open for the other options.
After Jones, one of the players who has seen plenty of practice time is Kiran Amegadjie. He was drafted in the third round in 2024, but has only seen one start. The 24-year-old missed all of last year, but was also in the left tackle battle last offseason. Heading into 2026, Amegadjie is adjusting to the system well and has practiced at both left and right tackle. Many fans had written him off, but the former third-round pick is showing his potential. Now, he sees himself in a tight battle and could make up ground if Jones misses time. At six-foot-five and 326 pounds, Amegadjie offers a large frame but is also an explosive athlete. This combination makes him a bruising force that can still move pretty well to help a quick Bears offense. If the 24-year-old can live up to his pre-draft hype, then he could be a sleeper option to win the left tackle battle.
The player who has rotated the most with Amegadjie is Jedrick Wills Jr. He is the only newcomer in the Bears' left tackle battles, as he just signed a one-year deal, yet there is no reason to believe that he is far behind either of the first two players. The former first-round pick has been meshing well with the system and is flashing his high potential. He is a strong athlete who can move quickly, which is crucial for the Bears' offensive system that likes to run the ball. These first three players have all seen time with the first-team offense so far, and while Jones is getting a lot of the attention, the competition is far from over.
One of the interesting storylines in the left tackle battle has been the lack of impact from Theo Benedet. Last season, Benedet started eight games for Chicago and looked promising. He was strong in the run game and often played as a sixth lineman when the Bears wanted to commit to running the ball. Even though Benedet was not as good at pass protection, the 24-year-old was still a solid starter. There has been very little news about him, which is both good and bad. On one hand, it means he has not made any awful plays. However, it also means he is not making a splash. The six-foot-seven tackle may still be in the race, but it seems like it will be an uphill battle.
Ben Johnson had made it clear that all four players will be considered in the Bears' left tackle battle. They have all shown promise, but Jones has taken the lead over the rest. However, his recent injury could set him back. Now is the time for the rest of the pack to make an impact. We still have plenty of time before the season starts, so the starter battle may go on until then. Chicago has its first preseason game on August 15th, and while it is not known how much the starters will play, if at all, it will be important to monitor who gets the nod to start. Every practice rep and preseason snap will matter as the Bears search for the right player to anchor the left side of their offensive line.
