Bears’ Ben Johnson sounds like a coach who doesn’t love any of his LT options, and that’s concerning

The Chicago Bears are scheduled to take on the Carolina Panthers in the Week 1 opener to kick off the new season. While hype surrounds the team heading into the 2026-27 campaign, it does appear that the club has an Achilles heel at left tackle.

Head coach Ben Johnson admitted on Tuesday that he and the coaching staff have not yet determined who will be the starting left tackle come Week 1, according to Courtney Cronin of ESPN. It is currently a four-player race between Braxton Jones, Theo Benedet, Kiran Amegadjie, and Jedrick Wills Jr.

“Ben Johnson said that the left tackle battle remains ongoing, calling it ‘a hot spot’ for the team that still doesn’t have answers yet among the 4 players that have been in the mix (Jones, Benedet, Amegadjie, Wills),” Cronin reported.

“I don’t know know that we’re 100% sold on who that guy is going to be in Carolina for us,” Johnson said.

Tuesday’s practice provided some clarity on the Bears’ left tackle predicament. Cronin also reported that Jones received all of the first team reps in multiple drills. Additionally, it appears that Wills is working as the No. 2 option, while Benedet returned to the right side of the offensive line.

“Braxton Jones has gotten all the 1s reps at left tackle during 9-on-7 run drills at the start of practice and during both 11-on-11 periods so far,” Cronin said. “The LT competition was said to be between Jones and Theo Benedet, but Benedet has been back at right tackle with the 2s with Jedrick Wills at left.”

Ben Johnson still has a few weeks to decide who will be the club’s starting left tackle. Ozzy Trapilo is also working his way back from a ruptured patellar tendon in his left knee. Chicago is hopeful he can return sooner rather than later, but he is not on track to be ready by the Week 1 matchup against the Panthers.

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