{"id":980079,"date":"2026-08-22T11:48:23","date_gmt":"2026-08-22T11:48:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/980079\/"},"modified":"2026-08-22T11:48:23","modified_gmt":"2026-08-22T11:48:23","slug":"ben-johnson-encouraged-by-canadian-blocker-theo-benedets-progress-with-chicago-bears","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/980079\/","title":{"rendered":"Ben Johnson ‘encouraged’ by Canadian blocker Theo Benedet’s progress with Chicago Bears"},"content":{"rendered":"

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"\"\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tPhoto courtesy: Jacob Funk\/Chicago Bears<\/p>\n

Like any good graduate of the University of British Columbia, Theo Benedet understood the assignment this offseason.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen we looked at last year with him as a whole, it was this guy\u2019s 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\u2019s able to displace defenders. It was the pass pro that was just a little bit behind,\u201d Johnson told reporters.<\/p>\n

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\u201cThat was really his mission throughout the offseason was to make sure he\u2019s in the right body position to where he\u2019s not leaning forward in the pass pro, he\u2019s still punching with his hands, and I think we\u2019ve seen a guy that\u2019s in better positions fundamentally to where he\u2019s not lunging and getting beat the way he was a year ago, so we\u2019re really encouraged with what that looks like.\u201d<\/p>\n

Benedet originally signed with the Bears\u00a0as an undrafted free agent in 2024<\/a> 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<\/a>\u00a0in the preseason.<\/p>\n

The native of North Vancouver, B.C., made his first NFL start on September 28 against the Las Vegas Raiders,\u00a0lining up against two-time All-Pro defensive end Maxx Crosby<\/a>. He would go on to replace Braxton Jones at left tackle<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n

\u201cFor all these guys that have been here going into the second year now, you can feel them,\u201d Johnson said. \u201cThey\u2019re not thinking as much about what we\u2019re asking them to do schematically, and so they\u2019re able to hone in on those fundamentals a little bit more. We\u2019ve been encouraged with what we\u2019ve seen from them.\u201d<\/p>\n

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<\/a>. The former UBC Thunderbird showed well in the team\u2019s first preseason game last week against the Cleveland Browns, earning the top offensive line grade according to Pro Football Focus and allowing zero pressures.<\/p>\n

That has changed the team\u2019s philosophy this week, as they look to fill the void on Caleb Williams\u2019 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.<\/p>\n

\u201cMost of those snaps so far have been on the right side, and so we want to take a look at what that\u2019s going to be on the left side and how that translates,\u201d Johnson said.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

A strong performance at Paycor Stadium could move the two-time All-Canadian into a starting role, at least temporarily.<\/p>\n

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J.C. Abbott is a University of British Columbia graduate and high school football coach. He covers the CFL, B.C. Lions, CFL Draft and the three-down league’s Global initiative.<\/p>\n

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