Battle at LT

[AZ54]

This is going to be the hot topic all off-season and maybe into the season.  Bears are starting it off correctly by keeping Darnell Wright at RT.   That leaves us with a 3 way battle at LT.  
 

https://bearswire.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/bears/2025/05/01/bears-ozzy-trapilo-will-play-left-tackle/83388491007/

[Mongo3451]

I'm glad they are leaving Wright alone.  It's hard enough gelling an OL the way it is.  It's such a luxury to have Thuney next to whoever plays LT. 

Another boost to the trenches is that they just hired Mark Philippi to the strength and conditioning team.  He's a former, seven time, World's Strongest Man competitor.  The fatties have someone to push the right buttons in the weight room.

[ASHKUM BEAR]

We will also have a battle between 11 and 12 personal.  11 having the edge if Loveland can't get into practice early.  

If Burden comes to OTAs and Camp and is blowing it up, Loveland and the 12 personal may take a back seat.  Loveland needs to be ready to fight because if he played equally as well of the bat, maybe the bears run more 12.

[BearFan PHX]

I definitely think leaving Wright where he is is best for him.

I definitely think Trapilo is better as a RT than a LT.

I definitely think Jones and Amagadje wont be good enough to start at LT.

I definitely think the Bears drafted Trapilo in the 2nd round to project as a starter.

All that tells me if Trapilo plays well at LT, then he will start there, and if not, theyre gonna move Wright. Im pretty sure theyre hoping Trapilo can play LT, but if he cant do it well, then what? You switch sides with even less time to get them acclimated?

This is a bit of a cluster f*ck. Hopefully it sorts out.

My GUESS is that Wright ends up at LT, and if he can do it, he might be very good there. But I hate moving guys around. I really do.

Wish we'd taken Ersery instead of Trapilo and Stewart. But if the switch works, then we end up a DT ahead.

[Mongo3451]

2 hours ago, BearFan PHX said:

I definitely think Jones and Amagadje wont be good enough to start at LT.

I definitely think the Bears drafted Trapilo in the 2nd round to project as a starter.

All that tells me if Trapilo plays well at LT, then he will start there, and if not, theyre gonna move Wright. Im pretty sure theyre hoping Trapilo can play LT, but if he cant do it well, then what? You switch sides with even less time to get them acclimated?

This is a bit of a cluster f*ck. Hopefully it sorts out.

My GUESS is that Wright ends up at LT, and if he can do it, he might be very good there. But I hate moving guys around. I really do.

Wish we'd taken Ersery instead of Trapilo and Stewart. But if the switch works, then we end up a DT ahead.

I'm not sure why you think a three year starter isn't good enough to start.  Braxton hasn't entered his prime being only 26.  With adding weight and getting better coaching, he may hold up better against the bull rush.  Kiran is a third round pick with prototypical measurables.  He would have been drafted higher if it wasn't for injury.  We don't what we have due him never having a training camp.

Next, we are as far away from a cluster F since the 85 SB team on OL.  We literally have four "plus" on our OL.  How many teams can say that?  Add to that Braxton was average.  

Lastly, Braxton should be ready by training camp.  I broke my tibial plateau last year and was full go on six months.  That was at 58.  Aiden Hutchinson almost came back much faster than that.

IMO - the only thing this OL has to do is gel.  This OL has finally achieved solid status.  Next year = deep.  I'm not concerned at all.

[Stinger226]

I agree with all of that. Braxton is the starter unless problem with an injury. Kiran A  will be the depth. With Tripoli changing positions, doubt he plays the first part of the year.  There's no one behind Wright so maybe Ozzy stays at RT.Only if Braxton is out for any reason, Ozzy gets his shot. Personally I think Kiran has the most upside but Braxton is in a contract year. That seems to motivate players. 

I doubt Braxton plays well enough to get a 20 million dollars contract. 

[AZ54]

2 hours ago, Mongo3451 said:

I'm not sure why you think a three year starter isn't good enough to start.  Braxton hasn't entered his prime being only 26.  With adding weight and getting better coaching, he may hold up better against the bull rush.  Kiran is a third round pick with prototypical measurables.  He would have been drafted higher if it wasn't for injury.  We don't what we have due him never having a training camp.

Next, we are as far away from a cluster F since the 85 SB team on OL.  We literally have four "plus" on our OL.  How many teams can say that?  Add to that Braxton was average.  

Lastly, Braxton should be ready by training camp.  I broke my tibial plateau last year and was full go on six months.  That was at 58.  Aiden Hutchinson almost came back much faster than that.

IMO - the only thing this OL has to do is gel.  This OL has finally achieved solid status.  Next year = deep.  I'm not concerned at all.

Braxton is pretty good as a run blocker.   I'd say for the running game we're likely to be among the best in the league this year.  

[BearFan PHX]

I doubt Braxton because he isnt sturdy or large in his base. He moves well laterally, and can ride rushers out, but when they bullrush him, he doesnt get his butt down, and he's not strong in his base, dropping anchor.

One point for hope for Braxton is that Roushar had a similar LT in New Orleans, Armistead I think his name was? ANyway he was a similar player, and Roushar taught him to drop anchor better, et his butt down, and he became an All Pro player. Hopefully if Braxton is the choice at LT, he can teach him that.

As to Braxton being a '3 year starter' it's true, but on a terrible offensive line, and he did get ridden back in the QB a lot. I just dont think hes up to the level of the others. But if he plays well, and wins the spot, then GREAT.

But there's a reason they picked Amagadje in the 3rd round last year, and Trapilo again in the 2nd round this year. They wouldn't have done that if they were all in on Braxton Jones.

[Mongo3451]

It's true about Braxton getting dog walked.  More weight, better coaching and effort in the weight room can clean it up. There was a lot of talk about the last staff not holding players accountable in the weight room.  The bigs sometimes need a little kick in the pants, especially when it comes to working out.

[Stinger226]

At this point, Braxton is an average starting LT in the NFL. They need more out of him. They added competition in case he doesn't. If they seriously thought they had to replace him, it would have done at 10. With a bad LT class they felt no one was still there that was that much better. He's the starter if not available, Kiran A will be the guy. Then the rookie gets his chance.

[ASHKUM BEAR]

3 hours ago, Mongo3451 said:

It's true about Braxton getting dog walked.  More weight, better coaching and effort in the weight room can clean it up. There was a lot of talk about the last staff not holding players accountable in the weight room.  The bigs sometimes need a little kick in the pants, especially when it comes to working out.

He has a lot of work to do just to get his original strength back before surgery.  Regardless of who starts at LT, defenses will see that as a weak link to attack the QB. Until the Bears show they can protect that, teams will try to exploit that gap.

[AZ54]

2 hours ago, ASHKUM BEAR said:

He has a lot of work to do just to get his original strength back before surgery.  Regardless of who starts at LT, defenses will see that as a weak link to attack the QB. Until the Bears show they can protect that, teams will try to exploit that gap.

Wow down to a single weak link on the Oline.  I hope that’s all we’re dealing with because it will be a massive change from the jail breaks we’ve seen the last few years.   FWIW our new center has the exact same issue as Braxton with bull rushes so time will tell.  Hopefully the new Oline coach can help both of them fix it. 

[BearFan PHX]

43 minutes ago, AZ54 said:

Wow down to a single weak link on the Oline.  I hope that’s all we’re dealing with because it will be a massive change from the jail breaks we’ve seen the last few years.   FWIW our new center has the exact same issue as Braxton with bull rushes so time will tell.  Hopefully the new Oline coach can help both of them fix it. 

well said. Roushar should be a godsend for us.

[ASHKUM BEAR]

3 hours ago, AZ54 said:

Wow down to a single weak link on the Oline.  I hope that’s all we’re dealing with because it will be a massive change from the jail breaks we’ve seen the last few years.   FWIW our new center has the exact same issue as Braxton with bull rushes so time will tell.  Hopefully the new Oline coach can help both of them fix it. 

Isn't it nice, even though we had to buy 3 out of 5.  We are at least collecting some young talent to develop and Roushar is a good guy to coach them.  If he can get Braxton, Kiran, or Tripilo to become a good LT, we have the cornerstones.  Finding the keystone, or center might be a need before 2027 when cutting Dahlman can save 12 million in cap with only 2 mil dead.  We might have that player in Stromberg or Newman, but it seems the great teams have a really good C.

 

[Stinger226]

Stromberg was a good prospect when he was drafted. Injuries have slowed his progress but he could be the next OC once Dalman leaves.