Theo Benedet

Theo Benedet (born October 12, 2001) is a Canadian professional football offensive tackle for the Chicago Bears of the National Football League (NFL). He played U Sports football for the UBC Thunderbirds.

Theo Benedet

No. 79 – Chicago Bears
Position:	Offensive tackle
Personal information
Born:	(2001-10-12) October 12, 2001 (age 23) Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Height:	6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)
Weight:	304 lb (138 kg)
Career information
High school:	Handsworth Secondary School
University:	UBC (2019–2023)
NFL draft:	2024: undrafted
CFL draft:	2024: 2nd round, 15th pick
Career history
Chicago Bears (2024–present)*
* Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Roster status:	Active
Career highlights and awards
2× J. P. Metras Trophy (2022, 2023) First-team All-Canadian (2023)
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Early life

Benedet was born in Toronto, Ontario and grew up in Vancouver, British Columbia. He attended Handsworth Secondary School.^[1][2] He grew up a fan of the BC Lions but did not compete at football seriously until he was in 10th grade at Handsworth.^[3] He committed to play U Sports football for the University of British Columbia (UBC) Thunderbirds.^[3]

University career

Benedet immediately became a starter on the offensive line for UBC as a first year in 2019.^[4] The 2020 season was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.^[5] He appeared in seven games during the 2021 season.^[6] In 2022, he was named first-team All-Canadian and was the winner of the J. P. Metras Trophy for best lineman nationally, helping the team have one of the best U Sports rushing offences along with reaching their first Hardy Cup in four years.^[7] He was the only U Sports player selected to the 2023 East–West Shrine Bowl.^[8] Although projected to be a top pick in the 2023 CFL draft along with fellow UBC offensive lineman Giovanni Manu, they both opted to return for a final season.^[9] In 2023, Benedet repeated as a first-team All-Canadian selection and as the winner of the J. P. Metras Trophy, becoming the first offensive lineman to win the trophy twice in a row; he also helped the Thunderbirds reach the Vanier Cup for the first time since 2015.^[10]

Professional career

Pre-draft measurables

Height	Weight	Arm length	Hand span	40-yard dash	10-yard split	20-yard split	20-yard shuttle	Three-cone drill	Vertical jump	Broad jump	Bench press
6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)	295 lb (134 kg)	32+1⁄8 in (0.82 m)	9+3⁄4 in (0.25 m)	5.16 s	1.77 s	3.01 s	4.60 s	7.69 s	34.5 in (0.88 m)	9 ft 6 in (2.90 m)	23 reps
All values from Pro Day[11]

Benedet was invited to the College Gridiron Showcase.^[10] In addition to being projected as a top pick for the 2024 CFL draft, he also received attention as a potential selection in the 2024 NFL draft.^[12] He was not selected in the NFL draft, but later signed with the Chicago Bears as a undrafted free agent.^[13][14] Benedet was later drafted in the second round (15th overall) by the BC Lions in the 2024 CFL draft.^[15] He was waived on August 27, and re-signed to the practice squad.^[16][17] He signed a reserve/future contract on January 6, 2025.^[18]