BREAKING: Bears’ 2025 Rookie Remains Benched Through Seven Weeks for Breaking Team Rules
The Chicago Bears’ highly touted second-round pick has yet to take a single snap in the 2025 NFL season — and now head coach
Ben Johnson has revealed why.
Despite joining the Bears with sky-high expectations, the rookie offensive tackle has found himself watching from the sidelines as a disciplinary decision from the coaching staff continues to keep him inactive.
“He’s got talent, no doubt,” Johnson said during Friday’s press conference. “But in Chicago, discipline defines who gets on the field. He missed reads, skipped assignments, and didn’t prepare the way we demand. Around here, you don’t play because you’re gifted — you play because you’re ready to be a Bear.”
The rookie in question is Ozzy Trapilo, a 6-foot-8, 315-pound offensive tackle out of Boston College, drafted by the Bears in the second round (56th overall) of the
Trapilo signed a four-year, $7.2 million contract on June 10, 2025, including a $2.1 million signing bonus. His deal came later than expected, as contract negotiations extended several weeks past the initial rookie signing wave in May. By the time training camp arrived, Trapilo was seen as a strong contender to compete for starting reps on the offensive line.
However, according to team insiders, the Bears’ coaching staff grew frustrated with the rookie’s lack of attention to detail. Reports indicate Trapilo missed key blocking assignments, failed to study protection schemes thoroughly
, and didn’t show the level of mental focus expected of a starting-caliber lineman in Johnson’s new system.
Since taking over in Chicago, Ben Johnson has made it clear that his vision for the Bears is built on accountability and preparation, not potential.
“We’re establishing a standard here,” he added. “If you’re not locked in, if you’re not giving full effort in practice, then you’re not ready to represent this team on Sundays.”
For now, Trapilo remains inactive on game days, focusing on improving his discipline and playbook execution under offensive line coach Chris Morgan. While the team still believes in his long-term upside, coaches have emphasized that earning trust comes before earning snaps.
Trapilo’s combination of size, athleticism, and strength still makes him a key piece for Chicago’s future. But in a locker room reshaped under Johnson’s leadership, every player — rookie or veteran — must prove they embody the “Bear standard.”
As Johnson summed it up bluntly: “Talent gets you drafted. But discipline — that’s what earns you the right to play for the Chicago Bears.”
Saquon Barkley's demanding call out of Eagles' offense with running game issues
Here are Philadelphia Eagles fans again reading about the criticisms of the offense and how the running game. Eagles fans thought they had passed this.
During Week 10's 10-7 win over the Green Bay Packers, the Eagles regressed significantly in the running game, rushing for just 111 yards at an average of 3.3 yards per carry. That includes Eagles running back Saquon Barkley struggling to get anything going with his 22 carries for 60 yards with an average of 2.7 yards per carry.
When the media was huddled up in front of his locker room, Barkley, just like every other week, was asked about the running game issues. Barkley's frustration was showing as he knows the offense has to improve with that.
"Being honest, we have to do a better job of adjusting. That's something we're focusing on — trying to find new ways to get the run game going. Not just the run game going, get the offense going, being consistent. It starts with all of us, from top to bottom."
Saquon Barkley on the way defenses are stopping the run: "Being honest, we have to do a better job of adjusting. That's something we're focusing on — trying to find new ways to get the run game going. Not just the run game going, get the offense going, being consistent. It starts…
— Zach Berman (@ZBerm) November 13, 2025
Eagles fans thought they were passed the running game issues
Remember rushing for 276 yards in Week 8 against the New York Giants? All that momentum was lost within two weeks of being off.
The Eagles are now ranked 21st in the NFL in rushing yards per game with 111.6. Barkley isn't even in the top 10 in rushing yards (579) or rushing touchdowns (four). He actually ranks 144th in rushing yards per carry with 3.9.
Technically, the numbers are improving after weeks of the offense averaging less than 100 rushing yards per game, but they are still well below the average where they need to be. So, what's going on that the offense can get the running game going?
Simply put, the creativity isn't there for the Eagles. Offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo has become too predictable with his play-calling, to the point where defenses know what's coming next.
Barkley is barely on pace to hit the 1,000-yard mark on the season, which to most would be a great season, but his standards are higher than everyone else's. Patullo had better figure something out because he's on the hot seat with the city of Philadelphia.
