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Yahoo
11-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Bears hint at rookie Ozzy Trapilo playing left tackle
The Chicago Bears prioritized the offensive line this offseason with the additions of guards Joe Thuney and Jonah Jackson via trade and the signing of center Drew Dalman in free agency. And while the offensive line is all but set, it sounds like there's a three-man race brewing at left tackle. Bears general manager Ryan Poles made an appearance on ESPN 1000, where he discussed second-round rookie offensive tackle Ozzy Trapilo and how they plan on seeing what they have in him at left tackle. The Bears know Trapilo can play right tackle, so they're going to give him reps at left tackle starting in OTAs and minicamp to see if that's a potential fit. Advertisement Trapilo started 24 games at right tackle for Boston College over the last two seasons, but he also has played left tackle. If Trapilo is a good fit at left tackle, he'll battle with three-year starter Braxton Jones and last year's third-round pick Kiran Amegadjie for the starting job opposite right tackle Darnell Wright. Jones, entering the final year of his rookie contract, suffered a fractured fibula last December, and he'll be limited to start training camp. That will give Trapilo and Amegadjie a head start when it comes to competing for a starting job at left tackle. Poles said the goal is to have the offensive line settled before training camp so they won't have to shuffle guys around. 'Whatever we settle on, especially when going into training camp, it's going to be really important to stick with that," Poles said. Advertisement Right now, left tackle is the only pressing question as the interior is set with left guard Joe Thuney, center Drew Dalman and right guard Jonah Jackson, and it doesn't sound like they plan on moving right tackle Darnell Wright. So that left tackle battle is one to watch between Jones, Trapilo and Amegadjie. Follow Bears Wire on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Bears hint at rookie Ozzy Trapilo playing left tackle
USA Today
01-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Bears GM Ryan Poles praises Montez Sweat's offseason preparation
Bears GM Ryan Poles praises Montez Sweat's offseason preparation Expectations were high for the Chicago Bears going into the 2024 season. Not only from a record standpoint, but also for individual players and what they could produce on the field. Unfortunately, the Bears fell flat in their quest to make it back to the postseason, in part due to quite a few players not performing their best on the field. That includes defensive end Montez Sweat, who came into last season with a fresh new four-year, $98 million contract and plans to build off his impressive 2023 campaign. Instead, Sweat finished the year with 32 total tackles, nine for loss, 5.5 sacks, and two forced fumbles while playing in 16 games. It was a far cry from his previous season, and it left Bears fans questioning the team's investment in him, though lingering injuries played a factor in his production dip. It seems Sweat is motivated to bounce back, and his general manager is taking notice. On Thursday, Bears general manager Ryan Poles spoke with ESPN 1000's Kap & J-Hood and revealed Sweat is training at a level he has never seen from the Pro Bowl edge rusher. "I don't think there is anyone in this building working as hard as Montez Sweat right now," Poles said. "He's pushing weight, he's getting strong, he's getting in shape. He's locked in like I've never seen him before." The Bears didn't spend any major draft capital on an edge rusher, and their only significant move this offseason has been to sign Dayo Odeyingbo. The Bears are counting on Sweat to return to form, and it's reassuring to hear he's committed to getting there. That didn't always seem like the case. Early in the offseason last year, Sweat was one of the more notable players absent from voluntary workouts. Though the keyword is "voluntary" and players aren't required to show up, you always want to see the key veterans participating when they can. It sounds like Sweat is changing things up, which bodes well for the team's 2025 expectations.
USA Today
01-03-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Bears HC Ben Johnson emphasizes accountability on offense: 'No block, no rock'
Bears HC Ben Johnson emphasizes accountability on offense: 'No block, no rock' During the Chicago Bears' extremely disappointing 2024 season, the biggest word used by players in the locker room was accountability, and the lack of it across the board. In a season that saw three different offensive coordinators and two head coaches at the helm, accountability was a word often used by players when meeting with the media and how it was much needed heading into next season. Ben Johnson's arrival in Chicago not only brings excitement and optimism for what he can do for the offense and quarterback Caleb Williams, but his presence should turn around the locker room as well. During an interview with ESPN 1000 at the NFL Scouting Combine, Johnson reiterated that accountability will be a top priority for the team this season. Speaking on his own views for the team and himself, Johnson reflected on what went wrong for the Bears last season and how he plans to address the changes. "When you talk about last year what was lacking, the accountability," Johnson said. "That's the word that's probably come up more than anything. That's something that we're going to address. I can't help myself, I'm going to be very blunt, very honest with my version of the truth going forward, and so is the coaching staff, they know the task at hand. Beyond that I think we have a lot of really talented pieces already in that locker room." Offensively, Johnson recognizes the level of talent currently on the Bears roster, like wide receiver DJ Moore. "You look at the offensive side, there are playmakers, it's just a matter of getting it into their hands in space," Johnson said. "DJ Moore is one of the best run-after-catch receivers in the NFL and I don't know that the rest of the league knows that per se so we got to find a way to get him the ball a certain number of times per game. Of course he knows, he better be blocking as well cause, no block, no rock."
