Photo courtesy: Jacob Funk/Chicago Bears
Like any good graduate of the University of British Columbia, Theo Benedet understood the assignment this offseason.
The Canadian offensive lineman was given clear instructions from the Chicago Bears as to what he needed to improve during exit meetings following the 2025 season. Head coach Ben Johnson revealed this week that he has been pleased with how the 24-year-old has taken those critiques to heart.
“When we looked at last year with him as a whole, it was this guy’s an asset in the running game. We like how he runs off the ball. He plays with good pad level and body lean, and he’s able to displace defenders. It was the pass pro that was just a little bit behind,” Johnson told reporters.
“That was really his mission throughout the offseason was to make sure he’s in the right body position to where he’s not leaning forward in the pass pro, he’s still punching with his hands, and I think we’ve seen a guy that’s in better positions fundamentally to where he’s not lunging and getting beat the way he was a year ago, so we’re really encouraged with what that looks like.”
Benedet originally signed with the Bears as an undrafted free agent in 2024 and spent the entire season on their practice roster. He returned to the team on a reserve/futures contract for 2025 and impressed Johnson in his first training camp as head coach, coming out of nowhere to become a contender for a starting tackle job in the preseason.
The native of North Vancouver, B.C., made his first NFL start on September 28 against the Las Vegas Raiders, lining up against two-time All-Pro defensive end Maxx Crosby. He would go on to replace Braxton Jones at left tackle and started eight games total, surrendering 27 pressures and two sacks. While he was eventually benched in favour of second-round rookie Ozzy Trapilo, Benedet demonstrated upside as a developmental prospect.
“For all these guys that have been here going into the second year now, you can feel them,” Johnson said. “They’re not thinking as much about what we’re asking them to do schematically, and so they’re able to hone in on those fundamentals a little bit more. We’ve been encouraged with what we’ve seen from them.”
Entering training camp this year, the Bears initially listed Benedet as a backup at right tackle behind Darnell Wright, returning him to the position where he won two J.P. Metras Trophies as the top down lineman in Canadian university football. The former UBC Thunderbird showed well in the team’s first preseason game last week against the Cleveland Browns, earning the top offensive line grade according to Pro Football Focus and allowing zero pressures.
That has changed the team’s philosophy this week, as they look to fill the void on Caleb Williams’ blindside while Trapilo recovers from a patellar tendon tear suffered in the playoffs. With Jedrick Wills Jr. and Kiran Amegadjie struggling amidst an open competition, Benedet has been added to the mix to push Jones once again.
“Most of those snaps so far have been on the right side, and so we want to take a look at what that’s going to be on the left side and how that translates,” Johnson said.
A joint practice against the Cincinnati Bengals on Thursday provided a setback for the U Sports standout, as he surrendered a pair of sacks against former first-round pick Myles Murphy in the final situational period of the day. However, he will get a chance at redemption when the Bears visit the Bengals for their second preseason game on Saturday, August 22, at 7:00 p.m. EDT.
A strong performance at Paycor Stadium could move the two-time All-Canadian into a starting role, at least temporarily.
