Bears unveil initial left tackle picture on first depth chart, with three players listed at first-team

The Chicago Bears’ first depth chart of the 2026 preseason cycle put the spotlight on the left tackle position by listing three different players on the first-team unit. Braxton Jones, Kiran Amegadjie and Jedrick Wills were all named at first-team left tackle, a clear indication that the coaching staff is still sorting out how the offensive line will look once live-game work begins.

The decision matters because the Bears’ left side is carrying more than just normal camp competition. Behind the depth chart discussion is an immediate need to replace Ozzy Trapilo as he recovers from a torn patellar tendon, according to the team’s own preseason context reported ahead of the first preseason game. While teams often experiment at tackle during camp, listing multiple players at the same priority spot suggests they are weighing several styles and experience levels for the same role rather than settling on one option immediately.

Head coach Ben Johnson had already framed the left tackle situation as an open process earlier in the offseason. In March, he said the team would consider all options for the 2026 season and that the Bears were still evaluating their situation before their first preseason game. The initial depth chart is the concrete version of that approach, because it does not present a single default choice at left tackle and instead shows a three-way competition for who earns the starting job.

Braxton Jones, Kiran Amegadjie and Jedrick Wills were not listed as backups in this particular snapshot. Each appears on the first-team left tackle slot, which can function as a report to the locker room that multiple linemen are being evaluated as potential anchors for the left side. Practically, it means the Bears can adjust quickly based on performance in team periods and the specific matchup demands they face across early preseason opponents.

The preseason timing also plays a role in how to interpret the depth chart. Depth charts at this stage are not end-of-year answers, they are roadmaps for what the coaches are testing now, especially at premium positions such as offensive tackle. With the Bears still sifting through options ahead of their first preseason game, the initial listing can be viewed as a baseline rather than a final proclamation.

Trapilo’s absence due to the reported patellar tendon tear is the major roster context behind the competition. A tackle replacement is not only a matter of footwork and pass protection techniques, it affects the entire offensive line’s communication habits and run-game fit. Even if one player eventually separates from the group, the Bears will likely keep multiple linemen involved early in order to manage continuity and to ensure the offense remains functional under different combinations.

What to watch next is whether one of the three left tackle candidates starts to receive consistent first-team reps in the same formations, or whether the Bears keep rotating them. After the first preseason game, the depth chart tends to move from broad evaluation to clearer prioritization, especially if the coaching staff identifies a player who best steadies the left side in both pass sets and run blocking.