Trapilo's Return Fuels LT Competition
Bears Activate Tackle Ozzy Trapilo from PUP List, Reshaping Left Tackle Competition
Key Points
Trapilo played 14 games in his rookie season, with six starts at left tackle, and was the Bears' third left tackle used that year, helping stabilize the position.
He underwent surgery on January 21 to repair a torn patellar tendon in his left knee.
The Bears’ current depth chart lists Braxton Jones, Jedrick Wills Jr., OR Kiran Amegadjie as the starting left tackle, underscoring the ongoing competition for the role.
The team also waived three players with injury settlements: K.C. Eziomume, Kyron Hudson and Gervarrius Owens.
Braxton Jones returned to practice in a limited capacity as the Bears continue to evaluate and ramp up the left-tackle competition.
The Chicago Bears activated offensive tackle Ozzy Trapilo off the physically unable to perform (PUP) list on Monday, allowing him to return to practice seven months after a torn patellar tendon ended his rookie season. The move came ahead of schedule, according to Reuters, offering the Bears a potential boost to their unsettled left tackle depth chart heading into training camp.
Trapilo, a second-round pick, played 14 games as a rookie and made six starts at left tackle. He had surgery on January 21 to repair the ruptured tendon. His return adds a fourth name to an already crowded competition for one of the most important spots on the offensive line.
Trapilo's Recovery Came Faster Than Expected
A torn patellar tendon is one of the most serious knee injuries in football. Typical recovery runs eight to twelve months. Trapilo's activation just seven months after his January 21 surgery signals his rehab is ahead of plan, according to WSAU. The Bears had built in a cautious timeline, but progress pushed that schedule forward.
He is not yet cleared for full-speed action. The Bears plan to ease him into padded practices first, then ramp up his workload. When — or whether — he will be ready for Week 1 remains unclear. But his presence in camp alone changes the calculus at left tackle.
Four Men Competing for One Starting Job
The Bears' depth chart currently lists three names at starting left tackle: Braxton Jones, Jedrick Wills Jr., and Kiran Amegadjie. Trapilo now joins that group. Jones had been the clear frontrunner before suffering a knee injury of his own. He returned to practice recently, but only in a limited role, according to Reuters.
Wills and Amegadjie both showed inconsistencies in the preseason. Neither has locked down the job. Trapilo's activation extends the competition further and gives Chicago more options. Coach Ben Johnson's staff will need to sort through four tackles with varying health statuses before the season opener.
Bears Also Cut Three Players with Injury Settlements
Alongside Trapilo's activation, Chicago made several other roster moves. The team waived three players with injury settlements: K.C. Eziomume, Kyron Hudson, and Gervarrius Owens. Injury settlements allow teams to release hurt players while covering a portion of their medical costs. The moves help the Bears trim their training-camp roster.
Left Tackle Stability Could Define the Bears' 2025 Offense
Left tackle is the blind-side protector for a right-handed quarterback. It is one of the most critical positions on the field. The Bears used three different starters there last season before Trapilo helped settle things down. Getting that spot locked up early matters for quarterback Caleb Williams and the entire offense.
If Trapilo returns to full speed quickly, he could move to the front of the line. He has the most starting experience of any candidate from last year's team. But health is the key variable. The Bears will manage his ramp-up carefully to avoid a setback on the same knee, according to WIFC.
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