Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson is making his mark on the organization, and offensive lineman Ozzy Trapilo may be the latest example. From the Bears’ revamping of their offensive line to the team’s draft decisions, Johnson is showing that while general manager Ryan Poles is still in place, the coach wields tremendous sway in the process.
First came tight end Colston Loveland, whom Johnson said reminds him of Detroit Lions TE Sam LaPorta, in Round 1, and the Bears’ Amon-Ra St. Brown in Luther Burden III in Round 2.
Now, Johnson may have found his Chicago version of Detroit’s Dan Skipper in Trapilo.
Bears OL Ozzy Trapilo Open to Unorthodox Role
Ozzy Trapilo Open to Hybrid Role With Bears
Trapilo, who measured in at 6-foot-8 at the combine, is shorter than the 6-foot-9 Skipper. But the new Bears OT has an actual history at the tight end position.
Moreover, he is willing to tap into that experience for Johnson and the Bears.
“I was a thinner guy growing up. Until my junior year of high school, I was a tight end and a D-end, so I do have experience catching the ball,” Skipper told Clocker Sports on Friday when asked about his experience and willingness as a pass-catcher. “I made the switch back at junior year. I didn’t think I would ever come back.
“I’m trying to get on the field as soon as possible. Whatever it might be, I’d be happy to go out there and do it. So any situation, I’d be more than happy to go out there.”
Trapilo joins an offensive tackle group that already includes starters Braxton Jones, who is in the final year of his contract, on the left side, and 2024 first-round pick (No. 10 overall, to be exact) Darnell Wright on the right.
Behind them is 2024 third-round pick Kiran Amegadjie.
Amegadjie missed most of his rookie season with an injury, but Bears assistant general manager Ian Cunninham expressed confidence in the group before the draft.
After the draft, Poles acknowledged that he does not exactly know how the offensive line will shake out. But it is safe to assume that Joe Thuney, Drew Dalman, and Jonah Jackson will start from left guard to right guard after the Bears’ moves to acquire them this offseason.
Jones is the most likely player on the hot seat, with Wrigth capable of sliding over and Trapilo stepping in for the Bears.
Bears Turning Into Virtual Lions South
Johnson aligned Skipper, an offensive tackle by trade, not only at tight end (70 snaps), but also wide receiver (1 snap) in 2024, per Pro Football Focus. Skipper even logged fullback and slot reps in 2023.
Skipper, now 30, was a 27-year-old former undrafted free agent when Johnson assumed control of the Lions’ offense in 2021.
The Bears’ head coach gets Trapilo, a converted high school tight end, from the outset at No. 56 overall.
Trapilo logged 35 snaps at tight end for the Boston College Eagles in 2024, per PFF. Skipper has two receptions for 13 yards and 1 touchdown in his career, so it is unlikely to translate into anything substantial for Trapoli. That is good, though, since he may be needed up front.
At any rate, Johnson is assembling the kind of roster with the Bears that rivals what he had with the Lions, albeit with components like Trapilo, Loveland, and Burden coming together in one offseason rather than across several.