The Chicago Bears’ left-tackle competition has shifted from a two-man race to a three-way audition, with Theo Benedet emerging as a dark horse contender alongside Braxton Jones and Ozzy Trapilo. Benedet, an undrafted free agent, found himself in the three-man left tackle rotation during the last Sunday’s preseason opener against the Dolphins after an injury to Kiran Amegadjie. He rotated with Jones at times for the first team, drawing praise from OL coach Dan Roushar who noted Benedet’s dramatic spring-to-now growth and his relentless work ethic, keeping him squarely in the fight for a starting spot as the preseason continues.

Following that showing, Benedet continued to split first-team reps with Jones in practice, while Trapilo worked on the right side with the second unit. The plan appears to be a rotation strategy to evaluate all three, meaning Benedet’s roster chances hinge on continued improvement and consistency. While he insists he’s a long shot for the job, Benedet has captured the attention of the coaching staff, signaling that the Bears’ offensive line could be more competitive than initially anticipated this season.

As Roushar emphasized, Benedet’s growth has been among the most notable in the group, suggesting a future where depth and versatility up front could shape Chicago’s offensive performance. The unfolding battle remains open, making Benedet a player fantasy managers should monitor closely for potential lift in pass protection and run blocking if he earns a starting role.