The Chicago Bears’ official depth chart lists a bewildering four different players as co-No. 1 left tackles. Seriously, *four*! And left guard Joe Thuney? He’s not just a little annoyed; he wants some real clarity on who the heck he’s going to be playing next to when the regular season kicks off against the Panthers on September 13. When your veteran leader is basically begging for a consistent partner, you know there’s an issue brewing in the trenches.
The Revolving Door and a Quest for Unity
Bears head coach Ben Johnson totally gets it; he acknowledged it’s tough on Thuney. Johnson even admitted it’s been a “revolving door,” which is exactly the kind of chaos an offensive line doesn’t need, especially with the season right around the corner. Thuney’s a “pro’s pro,” according to Johnson, willing to do whatever it takes. But you just can’t deny the need for “five guys playing as one.” Johnson mentioned the four candidates battling it out: Braxton Jones, Jedrick Wills, Kiran Amegadjie, and Ozzy Trapilo. That’s a lot of names for one crucial spot, and it speaks volumes about the uncertainty right now. The coach said they will go “as long as we need to to figure out who those five are, but at the same time, the sooner we can make that decision, the sooner they can jell as a unit as well.” This isn’t just about finding the best player; it’s about finding the *right* player to mesh with the unit.
Last Year’s Lesson: Don’t Wait Until the Bye Week
The stakes for getting this right are massive. Coach Johnson himself brought up last season, noting it took until the bye week before the offensive line “started clicking” and the run game “came alive the way we wanted.” Nobody wants to see that struggle again for half a season, especially when the regular season starts so soon. The communication piece? Johnson called it “a huge piece of it,” and you can bet it’s tough to get that right when you’re cycling through four different guys on the most important side of the line. Thuney is doing a great job, but without a clear partner, that synergy is going to suffer. When asked if Thuney has any say in who the starting left tackle will be, Johnson just said that.
With the regular season opener against the Panthers looming on September 13, the Bears have got to figure this out, and fast. O-line continuity isn’t just a coach-speak buzzword; it’s the bedrock of any successful offense, especially if they want that run game to come alive earlier than the bye week this season. The clock is ticking for Ben Johnson to pick a left tackle and give Thuney, and the rest of the unit, the clarity they desperately need to form a cohesive unit. This decision isn’t just about one position; it’s about setting the tone for the entire offense from day one.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Pro Football Talk.
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