For the second year in a row, the Chicago Bears had a major question mark at the left tackle position and held an open competition throughout training camp and produced more losers than a clear winner.

And yet, the Bears still eventually got the clarity head coach Ben Johnson wanted at the position, at least for now, heading into the first week of the regular season.

“I think we’re going to be good to go for Week 1,” Johnson told reporters. “We’ll talk a little bit more as a staff just to make sure we’re all aligned, but yeah I think we’re going to be in good shape. We’re going to be able to operate as a offense and I think we’ll be able to score points. It’s going to take all 11 of those guys out there in order to get that done.”

It’s looking like Braxton Jones will open the season as the Chicago Bears’ starting left tackle

After getting through roster cuts, the Bears kept four offensive tackles on the initial 53-man roster with Darnell Wright at right tackle while Braxton Jones, Theo Benedet, and Ozzy Trapilo give the team options at left tackle.

“Yeah, I think we feel a little bit better,” GM Ryan Poles said. “Just, Braxton’s way healthier than he was last year. I don’t know if he was completely himself last year. So, he’s in a better place. Theo has a bunch of games under his belt too. And then, obviously, when Ozzy’s ready, he’s started a bunch of big games himself. So, we feel good about it.”

As things currently look, Jones is projected to open the season as the starting left tackle for the Bears. The big thing for Jones is going to be whether or not he can consistently play at a starting level for all four quarters. That was a concern for Jones last season and the reason why he was ultimately pulled from the lineup in Week 4.

Jones got limited preseason action (15 offensive snaps) and didn’t turn in a promising showing. But, during the joint practices against the Cincinnati Bengals and Tennessee Titans, Jones turned in a full day’s worth of work and was consistent throughout giving the team some much-needed confidence.

How quickly can Ozzy Trapilo return to game shape is something to watch

On August 16, the Bears activated Ozzy Trapilo off the PUP list, seven months after suffering a patellar tendon injury. It was a miraculous recovery process and it gave Trapilo the opportunity to get some practice sessions under his belt.

“The big advantage of him coming back when he did – which I still think is amazing – is really the padded practices, team periods, really testing his anchor and mobility,” Poles explained. “Obviously it looks fabulous or he wouldn’t be where he is but he’s playing football and there’s definitely rust to knock off.”

The Bears elected not to place Trapilo back on the IR during roster cuts, giving him the chance to continue practicing and getting closer to returning to game shape. How long that actually takes will be a big storyline to follow over the next few weeks.

“I don’t know how long that’ll take before he’s involved in the game plan and starting,” Poles added. “Or a rotational guy, or active. It’s too early to tell right now. But the big thing when he got back was how many padded practices could he get before (the season). Because once we get going here, those start to drop off. We’ll get through those padded practices and see how he holds up.”

The Bears will hold a fully padded practice later today before giving the team the weekend off. Then, starting Monday, it’s game week as the Bears prepare for the season-opener against the Carolina Panthers.

For now, all eyes will be on Jones as he gets set to open the season as the team’s starting left tackle for the fifth consecutive year with a lot more internal and external confidence around him. But, one eye will also be on Trapilo to see when he can enter the picture.