The battered and bruised Bears

The Chicago Bears sent their division rival, the Green Bay Packers, home packing with a wildcard win. The victory came with a hefty price tag as the Bears lost two key starters in LB TJ Edwards and LT Ozzy Trapilo.

These two injuries will loom large when Chicago hosts the Los Angeles Rams in the divisional round of the playoffs. The Bears are 3.5-point underdogs. The Rams come in with a roster more well-versed in the playoff environment and years ahead in their roster build.

Let’s take these key injuries one at a tine. In the aggregate they significantly change the outlook for Chicago.

Ozzy Trapilo —> Braxton Jones

Trapilo was a second round pick in last year’s draft. He’s good for a rookie but not necessarily a good player in comparison to his peers starting at left tackle. Still, the rookie is clearly better than the Bears’ alternatives.

Chicago activated their former long-term LT Braxton Jones from injured reserve. The team seemed inclined enough to draft his replacement early and give him every opportunity to start over the veteran. Now they turn to Jones in their most important game of the year.

The Bears also have second-year UDFA Theo Benedet to consider in replacement. He filled in for Trapilo against the Packers. Jones should get the first nod since he has an edge in terms of experience.

Pro Football Focus (PFF) data:

• Trapilo: 68.6 run block; 70.3 pass block; 22 pressures allowed (355 snaps); two penalties
• Jones: 47.2 run block; 62.7 pass block; 15 pressures allowed (136 snaps); one penalty
• Benedet: 65.7 run block; 55.2 pass block; 26 pressures allowed (332 snaps); seven penalties

PFF position rankings – out of 132 tackles in 2025

• Trapilo: 39th overall; 51st run; 52nd pass
• Jones: 106th overall; 121st run; 82nd pass
• Benedet: 97th overall; 59th run; 100th pass

The Rams pose a unique challenge for the Bears and whoever starts at left tackle.

Jared Verse ranks fifth among all EDGE rushers with 87 pressures, including the playoffs. The second-year defender has notched eight sacks. Byron Young isn’t far behind at 11th with 72 pressures and 13 sacks. This is a duo that can get after opposing quarterbacks and disrupt the passing game.

Young single handily derailed the Carolina Panthers’ comeback attempt in the wildcard game’s final moments when LA was protecting a three-point lead. He hurried Bryce Young on the first three plays and force throws that had zero chance of being completed.

The Rams will need Young and Verse to apply consistent pressure to help LA’s struggling corners. If they cannot be disruptive, it could be a long day with Caleb Williams and his very talented group of pass catchers.

TJ Edwards —> D’Marco Jackson

Edwards left the Philadelphia Eagles after the 2022 season to sign in Chicago. The Bears rewarded his first two seasons of play this offseason with a two-year, $20M contract extension.

The 2025 season for the veteran has been unfortunate. He has missed effectively half of the year because of multiple injuries and he isn’t playing up to the standard that he set during his stints in both Philadelphia and Chicago.

Still, Edwards is a former team captain and has a wealth of playoff experience. Not many individuals on the Bears’ defense can make the same claims. Slated to replace Edwards in the starting lineup next to Tremaine Edmunds is D’Marco Jackson, a 2022 fifth round pick that has played less than 400 snaps across the first three years of his career.

Jackson has earned playing time for the first time in his career, and he’s largely played well for Chicago. He has one apparent advantage over Edwards and that is his skill as a coverage linebacker. Jackson ranks 15th among all players at his position in PFF’s coverage grade. He was targeted as the nearest defender 16 times this year, allowing just 11 receptions for 66 yards, one TD, one interception, and a pass breakup.

But the Bears aren’t just hosting anyone this weekend. Sean McVay will be on the opposing sideline. McVay, and pretty much anyone from the Shanahan coaching tree, are known to be hell on opposing linebackers. This is where the lack of experience in comparison to Edwards comes into play.

The Rams are capable of significant personnel changeups in order to force favorable matchups. They also have a wealth of capable tight ends that can win when paired against linebackers. Tyler Higbee is back with fresh legs. Colby Parkinson just caught the game-winner a week ago. Second-round rookie Terrance Ferguson is unique vertical threat. Even Davis Allen can make contributions in the red zone.

Don’t be surprised if McVay and the Rams pick on the third-year linebacker in his first major NFL opportunity.