Still looking for straight answers on Ozzy Trapilo

The Ben Johnson honeymoon is going strong. But as much he's been a breath of fresh air as the Bears' head coach, you still have to call out the BS.

It was disappointing but not that big of a surprise that Johnson didn't approach a question about the Bears returning to the scene of the Fail Mary against the Commanders with his celebrated candor: "You've have to talk to those guys about it. We're a new team," Johnson told reporters, ignoring the reality that the "new team" includes eight players who were on the field for the fateful, ignominious play.

But Johnson was in full BS mode when asked about rookie Ozzy Trapilo's role when starting right tackle Darnell Wright returns from an elbow injury. Trapilo, the second-round draft pick (No. 56 overall) who lost not only the starting left tackle job in training camp, but the back-up left tackle job as well, was a third-string right tackle to start the season.

In fact, he was inactive for Week 2 and 3 before coming off the bench to play 40 snaps at right tackle against the Raiders last week in place of 2024 undrafted free agent Theo Benedet, who was moved from right tackle to left tackle when starter Braxton Jones was benched in the second quarter.

Five weeks into the season, the left tackle situation is as unsettled as ever, with Benedet expected to start in place of Jones against the Commanders on Monday Night Football. Trapilo figures to start at right tackle if Wright cannot play. So, again, what happens when Wright returns?

"We've got some really good tackles," Johnson said. "That was the beauty of the vision that Ryan [Poles] had, was bringing in a lot of talented players and letting them battle out and see who wins what. Whether that's a starting role or a back-up role, we'll determine that when the time comes."

It's one thing to refuse to acknowledge reality, but it's another thing to create your own reality. Claiming this offensive tackle boondoggle is "the beauty of the vision that Ryan had" is laughable, especially coming from a coach who has mesmerized so many with his candor. As it stands right now — and it's far from over — drafting Trapilo is on Poles' long list of misses. Was it part of Ryan's vision to use the No. 56 pick in the draft on a back-up right tackle behind a starter drafted No. 10 overall in 2023 who presumably will be there for the next several years?

That seems like a logical follow-up. Instead, Johnson was asked if it's possible for Trapilo to win the starting right tackle job. "Absolutely," Johnson said. "He's a really good player. He's really settled in on that right side. I'm really looking forward to al those tackles getting healthy and getting after it again."

But that leads to another question: If Trapilo wins the right tackle job, what happens to Darnell Wright, the No. 10 pick in the 2023 draft and a supposed cornerstone of the offensive line? Does he move to the left side?

There wasn't time to ask those questions on Tuesday. Maybe Wednesday. But it's fair to ask what the Bears' plan is for Ozzy Trapilo. A team that is 15-36 in Ryan Poles' three seasons as general manager probably doesn't have the luxury of using a second-round draft pick for offensive line depth, so that tack isn't going to fly. Despite some first-season hiccups, Ben Johnson's honeymoon is still going strong. But that doesn't mean he's above reproach.

---