This Bears player could be the key to protecting Caleb Williams

Expectations are sky-high for the Chicago Bears. That's what happens when you end the year in the top spot in your division.

Head coach Ben Johnson has worked miracles with this team, and that's also true of his time with quarterback Caleb Williams. Now, Williams is entering his third year in the NFL, and it's already shaping up to be a big one, at least according to all the hype.

But, it's not just about Williams. He needs to be surrounded by awesome players. Now, one of them could be his secret X-factor.

Ozzy Trapilo could be a key piece for Caleb Williams

Ben Solak of ESPN has unleashed a feature with the X-factor for each NFL team going into the new season. With the Bears, he calls left tackle Ozzy Trapilo the key for the team.

In the piece, he notes that Trapilo "ruptured his patellar tendon (brutal injury) in the wild-card round of the playoffs about nine months ago," and he was actually going to miss a lot of this year. But, he's been activated off the physically unable to perform list. That's promising.

Solak says that this season he's "fascinated to see if he (Trapilo) still moves with the same quickness and power that he did last season" after his injury and with his new situation.

"Trapilo does not need to be an elite player to single-handedly power the Bears' front," he adds. "But if the left tackle spot becomes a liability, all those talented players at other spots will matter less when pressure consistently comes off Caleb Williams' blind side. By giving the Bears functional play at left tackle, Trapilo can ensure the line picks up where it left off last season."

So, Williams and the rest of Chicago can hope for the best of Trapilo this season.

More NFL news:

• Giants have a major X-factor in the middle of their defense
• Chiefs can take pressure off Patrick Mahomes if this defender steps up
• Jerry Jones should be ecstatic about this Cowboys projection
• Packers' Matt LaFleur may be in the hot seat after this season