One of the NFL’s most fascinating offseason storylines just landed squarely in Chicago’s lap.
The San Francisco 49ers are now open to trading left tackle Trent Williams, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, as a contract dispute between the two sides intensifies.Â
The biggest issue isn’t even his $38 million cap number. Williams carries a $32 million cash compensation for 2026, which sits above the top of the market for offensive tackles.
For the Bears, the timing is hard to ignore.
Chicago’s Blindside Problem
In 2024, the Bears offensive line ranked among the worst in the league after allowing a league-high 37 sacks, but that all changed under new head coach Ben Johnson.
According to Pro Football Focus, the revamped Bears’ offensive line surrendered only 13 sacks during Johnson’s first year in 2025, finishing as one of the most improved units in the NFL. Chicago allowed just 145 pressures on 643 snaps, leading to an 87.7 PFF pass-blocking efficiency rating, which ranked third in the NFL.
However, Chicago suddenly has a glaring hole on the left side of the offensive line after rookie left tackle Ozzy Trapilo tore his patellar tendon in the Wild Card win over the Packers.
Trapilo had successful surgery and is expected to miss significant time in 2026. GM Ryan Poles said he expects it will be “deep” into the 2026 season before Trapilo can play again.Â
That leaves the Bears searching for a bridge solution at one of football’s most unforgiving positions.
“Good left tackles are very pricey in free agency, and the Bears don’t have a particularly high draft pick this year at No. 25,” the Chicago Sun-Times noted. Finding a quality one-year stopgap is famously difficult — making a trade for a proven star all the more appealing.
Why Williams Makes Sense
A 12-time Pro Bowler and five-time All-Pro, Williams would be a welcome addition to almost any offensive line in the league.
In Chicago, where Joe Thuney, Jonah Jackson, and Darnell Wright already anchor a top-three unit, adding Williams could elevate the line to historic levels — and give Caleb Williams the cleanest pocket of his career.
Even at 37, Williams remained elite in 2025, posting a 92.9 PFF pass blocking grade, good for second among all left tackles.
Trent Williams Pass Blocking Metrics (via SumerSports)
- Pass Blocking Snaps: 568
- Pressures Allowed: 28
- Sacks Allowed: 1
- Hurries Allowed: 19
- Pressure Rate: 4.93% (28 pressures on 568 pass block snaps)
- Sack Rate: 0.18% (1 sack on 568 pass block snaps)
The Complications
Any trade would require Williams to agree to the kind of contract with a new team that he hasn’t been able to reach with the 49ers.
And the Bears aren’t the only suitors.
The Kansas City Chiefs are viewed by many around the league as the team most eager to land Williams.
The 49ers must exercise a $10 million option bonus by April 1, meaning this situation will resolve itself one way or another very soon.
The Bears have other options. Braxton Jones could return on a short-term deal, and Rasheed Walker is a free agent, though he’d likely command an overpay given positional scarcity.
But neither moves the needle the way a healthy Trent Williams does.
While a trade might be a long shot at this point, it’s exactly the kind of swing worth monitoring for a Bears team that looks built to compete right now.
