Ben Johnson Lied About His Actual Priorities At Left Tackle

The question was inevitable. Everybody knew the Chicago Bears had a decision to make at left tackle. Head coach Ben Johnson was asked what his priorities were for the position. He gave the answer most would've expected. Left tackles are considered the second-most important position on a football field behind quarterbacks. They are tasked with guarding the blind side of the team's leader. Johnson stated, clear as day, that his decision would be driven by which guy could show they had the ability to block pass rushers one-on-one the most often.

"To me it's consistency. It's, who's making the least number of mental errors. I think I said in the springtime, tackles, to me, have to be able to pass protect one-on-one on a regular basis and win those one-on-one matchups. Guys that are out there that we're not having to be conscious of with the play call to give them help all the time, that would be ideal. Certainly not the case everywhere I've been. Over the years, you've had to help them out with the play calls. But those guys that can block a defensive end one-on-one, they'll be really at a premium."

Straightforward, right?

Yet the saying is that actions speak louder than words. It doesn't feel like Johnson's actions reflect that approach. In reality, his decisions seem influenced by the run-blocking. We'll start with Ozzy Trapilo. Everybody thought he was an early favorite for left tackle until he was mysteriously demoted midway through the preseason. Why? His mediocre 61.5 run-blocking grade may have played a role. Meanwhile, Theo Benedet joins the mix almost out of nowhere. His run-blocking grade?

76.6

Ben Johnson benching Braxton Jones follows this trend as well.

The veteran tackle is probably the most athletic pass protector the Bears have. Yet the head coach finally pulled the plug midway through the game in Las Vegas. It wasn't his protection that did it, though that was bad early in the season, too. No, it was a missed blocking assignment on a run play. That was the final straw in a line of mistakes that had bedeviled Jones all month. His 47.2 run-blocking grade is the worst among all Bears offensive linemen this season.

Facts are facts. Despite what he said in August, one-on-one pass protection doesn't seem to be what Ben Johnson prioritizes with his offensive linemen. He wants consistent, reliable run-blocking. Maybe Benedet will provide it as he did in the preseason. If not, you can bet that will be what the Bears circle in their draft evaluations come next spring.