Now that Chicago Bears training camp is in full swing, all eyes are on the various position battles happening on the field. After the first week of practices, a couple of the position battles are facing more questions than answers. While the left tackle position is always an important battle, the right defensive end position is also under the microscope. Here is why these position battles are leading the focus of Bears training camp.
After Ozzy Trapilo went down with a patellar tendon injury in the playoffs, Chicago suddenly needed a new starting left tackle to begin the 2026 season. The Bears responded by bringing back free agent Braxton Jones and signing newcomer Jedrick Wills Jr. to compete for the job. Former third-round pick Kiran Amegadjie and undrafted free agent Theo Benedet join them in the competition. Although there are no pads or tackling during the first week of practices, they are still a good indication of early success.
Going into training camp, the former starter at left tackle, Jones, was presumed to be the favorite to win the starting job again. While that seemed to be the case going into training camp and through the first two days of practices, Chicago has seemingly made it a truly open competition. Since Jones started the first couple of practices at left tackle, the Bears have been rotating who starts practice at left tackle with the first team.
During Friday’s training camp practice, Amegadjie received the vast majority of first-team reps. The results were mixed, with him handling pass rushers Dayo Odeyingbo and Daniel Hardy before having rough showings against Austin Booker. During Saturday’s practice, former Cleveland Browns first-round pick Wills Jr. got the start at left tackle and received the majority of the reps. While the defense seemingly dominated the day with quarterback Caleb Williams and his receivers struggling, Wills Jr. reportedly looked the part as a legitimate contender for the starting job.
Chicago Bears Training Camp Current Leader: Braxton Jones
Going into training camp, defensive end was not one of the major position battles that people expected to cause a stir. In this case, the left side is still unquestionably manned by Montez Sweat, who came on strong at the end of 2025. The real question mark comes from the right side, where last season’s starter Odeyingbo is trying to fend off competition from third-year player Booker. Perhaps a vision of the future, Chicago has moved Odeyingbo to the inside on the defensive line in recent practices.
Since signing a 3-year, $48 million contract with the Bears last offseason, Odeyingbo’s tenure can only be described as disappointing. After managing only a single sack in eight games played, he tore his Achilles, missing the remainder of the season. Now healthy and fully practicing, Odeyingbo entered training camp as the presumed starter opposite Sweat due to his immense contract. Things could change, though, as so far in training camp, the 26-year-old has looked solid but not spectacular.
Not content with being the primary defensive end backup and rotation piece, Booker is doing everything he can to start opposite Sweat. After Odeyingbo went down with his season-ending injury, the 23-year-old served as the replacement and appeared in 10 games in 2025. Coming on strong late in the season, Booker finished with 4.5 sacks and 29 total pressures. Looking to build off last season’s success, he has been explosive during training camp, generating multiple “sacks” and described as a constant disruptor.
Chicago Bears Training Camp Current Leader: Austin Booker
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Now that a week of Chicago training camp is in the books, there is still not much clarity on the position battles highlighted this year. Perhaps the most important of the battles is the left tackle position, with the Bears giving first-team reps to everyone competing rather than strictly to Jones. Another surprise sees Booker most likely pulling ahead of a surprisingly healthy Odeyingbo in the right defensive end battle. As practices shift to full contact this week, Chicago should have a clearer picture as to who is the leader for these positions.
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