Next Man Up: Trapilo, Benedet, Stevenson step up as Bears battle injuries

Stevenson played well against the Raiders (David Banks - USA Today Sports)

Ariana Pensy · Correspondent · 9 hours ago

CHICAGO - Every rookie has their welcome to the NFL moment. Sometimes it comes in training camp or in the preseason.

But for offensive lineman Ozzy Trapilo, he got his welcome to the NFL moment by facing one of the best edge rushers in the league on his first snap in a regular-season game.

“You talk about a tough situation. You get thrown into the fire against a guy like Maxx Crosby. That’s a welcome to the NFL moment right there if there ever is one. A ton of respect for Crosby as a player and he certainly was the game wrecker that we thought he could be early on in that game and so, Ozzy didn’t bat an eye,” head coach Ben Johnson said. “He went out there, he competed his tail off. I’m sure there’s a couple of plays he’d like back, but I was really pleased with the way he went out there and competed and I think it’s a good foundational piece for the future for him.”

There was a lot of talk about Trapilo in training camp. He showed tenacity, a willingness to learn and the versatility to compete on the left or the right. While he was initially in the running for the starting left tackle job, Johnson ultimately decided Trapilo would be a better fit on the right.

Chicago’s starting right tackle, Darnell Wright, was out against the Las Vegas Raiders. So, Johnson started with Theo Benedet, who missed all of his rookie year last season with an injury, on the right side of the ball. However, Benedet ended up moving to the left tackle spot, and Trapilo stepped in on the right. This proved beneficial for both players. Trapilo got some reps in a regular-season NFL game, and Benedet played better on the left.

“He is a really good run blocker first and foremost. I think it probably took him just a minute to settle in. Didn’t matter which side it was going to be on, right or left. I think he’s equally proficient in either one,” Johnson said. “He’s just had such a good spring and summer for us that I’ve got a lot of confidence there. There was just a few times there in pass protection that we got out of our balance just a little bit where got a little top heavy and our head was out in front of our rear end there and we got to clean that up. But, I think he’s going to continue to learn. The more reps he gets, the better he’s going to get.”

Overall, the injuries have been piling up a little for Chicago. However, this has impacted the defense more. Linebacker T.J. Edwards and cornerback Kyler Gordon have yet to make their season debuts. All-Pro cornerback Jaylon Johnson played one quarter against the Detroit Lions before he suffered a separate injury and is now on injured reserve. Defensive lineman Grady Jarrett was also out against the Raiders.

With all of the injuries, everyone has had to step up, including cornerback Tyrique Stevenson. Stevenson has risen to the occasion, especially in Chicago’s wins. In the last two games, he has recorded four passes defended, two fumble recoveries and an interception.

With his pick against the Raiders, Stevenson now officially has an interception in every season he has been in the league so far.

“I thought this was his best game to date. I don’t know if there’s been any light switch that came on or anything like that. I feel like I see the same approach that I’ve seen all year long from him over the last few weeks. But certainly, I think the confidence level is rising,” Johnson said. “He knows what he’s capable of as a player. I think the coaching staff hasn’t kept that a secret. He’s very capable as a coverage defender. I think he can be a complete corner in this league, do man, zone, come up and tackle in the run game when called upon and it really just seems like he’s gaining that confidence every single week right now and becoming the player he’s capable of.”

Perhaps the worst moment of his career was against the Washington Commanders last season. When the Chicago Bears take on the Commanders after the bye week on Mon. Oct. 13 (7:15 p.m. / ABC), perhaps Stevenson will have the chance to redeem himself against Washington from last year.