The Chicago Bears have had some of the worst luck at left tackle for the past few years. Every time it looks like they might be finding some stability at the position, an injury happens. Braxton Jones got hit three times in three years, landing on Injured Reserve after season-ending knee surgery. Ozzy Trapilo tore his patellar tendon in the playoff win over Green Bay earlier this year. Now rumors are emerging from Halas Hall that Theo Benedet, who’s played pretty well this season, suffered a separated shoulder in the win over Seattle. This has put head coach Ben Johnson in a brutal conundrum.
As good a schemer as he is, not having a clear option at left tackle makes everything harder. His options at the moment don’t look ideal. Jones is out. Benedet will likely miss at least one game. By my estimate, that leaves the Bears’ head coach with three solutions. None of them are what you’d call ideal. So which will the team go with against Tampa Bay on Sunday night?
#1 – Ben Johnson trusts Trapilo to step up
This is the most straightforward answer. Trapilo has been getting a steady stream of snaps to play every week since the game in Atlanta. Johnson and offensive line coach Dan Roushar have tried to ease him back into things after such a nasty knee injury in January. So far, it hasn’t been great. He’s allowed 3 pressures and a sack in 21 offensive snaps. It is pretty clear he is rusty and still hasn’t fully regained confidence in his knee. Benedet’s play allowed the Bears to take their time. That option may no longer be on the table. Are the Bears prepared to trust Trapilo to start against Tampa Bay? Only they can answer that, and they aren’t talking.
#2 – Going with the playoff solution again
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In the divisional round against Los Angeles, after Trapilo injured his knee, the Bears made the surprise decision not to play Benedet in his place. Instead, they shifted left guard Joe Thuney to left tackle and plugged Jordan McFadden in at guard. The results were mixed: Chicago scored only 17 points, but that was in inclement weather against a good defense. Perhaps they might have better success this time, either with McFadden or Luke Newman taking over for Thuney at guard.
#3 – Call Taylor Decker or Cam Robinson
This last option depends entirely on Benedet’s health projections. If this shoulder problem keeps him out for several weeks and they don’t trust Trapilo yet, it would make sense to call up one of the best free agents left on the market. Decker, a former Pro Bowler who played for Ben Johnson in Detroit, would be the ideal option. However, it was reported months ago that he opposed playing for a division rival, given his loyalty to the Lions. Maybe he’s changed his tune. If not, Robinson has 114 games of starting experience. While he isn’t a stud by any means, he can be serviceable if utilized properly.
Right now, with it being a short week, expect the Bears to settle for the option of least resistance. They will likely ride with Trapilo and hope he handles the increased workload. He should have an easier time with top Buccaneers pass rusher Yaya Diaby likely out with an injury this week. If he struggles, the hope is either that Benedet can return or that they will have done enough research on the market to bring somebody in.
