5 takeaways from Danny Trevathan’s 3-year extension

The Bears locked up a vital member of their dominant defense in Danny Trevathan. Here’s what Trevathan’s extension means for Chicago.

The Bears had an important decision to make at inside linebacker this offseason — re-sign Danny Trevathan or Nick Kwiatkoski.

While there was a ton of debate as to whether the Bears should extend Trevathan or Kwiatkoski, general manager Ryan Pace ultimately made the decision to keep Trevathan in Chicago after he played out his four-year contract he signed back in 2016.

The Bears signed Trevathan to a three-year extension to keep him on the Bears through 2022, which is an important move for a Chicago defense looking to maintain their dominance from the previous two seasons.

Here are five takeaways from Trevathan’s extension with the Bears:

1. The Bears locked up a valuable member of their defense

There’s been a lot of discussion about Nick Kwiatkoski supplanting Trevathan as Chicago’s starting linebacker opposite Roquan Smith. But what seemed to get lost in all of that hype was the fact that Trevathan has been a big reason for the success of this defense over the last few years.

When healthy, Trevathan is an absolute force in this defense. Trevathan was playing some of his best football at the time of his elbow injury. He had 70 tackles in nine games, second only to Smith’s 99 after 13 games. Now, the Bears get to keep the duo of Trevathan and Smith together for the foreseeable future, which should be nothing short of thrilling for Bears fans.

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Kwiatkoski or Trevathan? Which Bears free agent do you want back?

The Bears have some important decisions to make regarding inside linebacker this offseason. Should it be Kwiatkoski or Trevathan?

The Bears have some important decisions to make regarding inside linebacker this offseason. With three inside linebackers set to hit free agency — Nick Kwiatkoski, Danny Trevathan and Kevin Pierre-Louis — Chicago needs to figure out who will be lining up opposite Roquan Smith next season.

When it comes down to it, the Bears need to re-sign either Kwiatkoski or Trevathan to solidify the middle of their linebacker corp. Chicago reportedly will make Kwiatkoski a top free-agent priotity following his impressive season in relief of the injured Trevathan.

But Kwiatkoski will be in high demand for that exact same reason, and the Packers are just one of several teams set to target him in free agency. He’ll require a pretty penny to re-sign, and the Bears are already in a tight bind with their salary cap, especially considering they need to bring in a veteran quarterback.

Ultimately if the Bears can’t afford Kwiatkoski, they could turn to Trevathan, who would be the cheaper option at this point. While Trevathan has proven to be an effective player and leader of this defense, he’s 30 years old with a history of injuries.

Trevathan has missed 16 games since signing with the Bears prior to the 2015 season. Which is where re-signing both Trevathan and Pierre-Louis would be essential.

What do you think Bears fans? Which inside linebacker do you want to see Chicago re-sign?

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Bears prioritizing Nick Kwiatkoski as top free-agent target

The Bears have a decision to make at ILB this offseason. But if they’re to have their way, they’ll re-sign one of their veterans.

The Bears have a decision to make at inside linebacker this offseason. But if they’re to have their way, they’ll re-sign one of their veterans to line-up opposite Roquan Smith.

Chicago is expected to prioritize re-signing inside linebacker Nick Kwiatkoski in free agency, according to Chris Emma of 670 the Score.

Kwiatkoski shined in relief of the injured Danny Trevathan last season. Now, the Bears will have to pick Kwiatkoski or Trevathan — and it sounds like Kwiatkoski would be their top choice.

While Trevathan has been an effective contributor and leader in Chicago’s locker room in his four years with the Bears, the fact of the matter is that he’s 30 years old and has a history of injuries. Trevathan has missed 16 games since signing with the Bears prior to the 2015 season.

Then you have Kwiatkoski, who took full advantage of his opportunity in place of Trevathan. Kwiatkoski had career highs with 76 combined tackles, three sacks, four pass breakups and a safety, as well as one forced fumble.

“He took full advantage for his opportunities when he got them,” general manager Ryan Pace said. “You tip your hat to him. We talk about drafting and developing players. With him being a fourth-round pick, we’re proud of where he got to.”

The only problem is, Kwiatkoski will be a viable target of many teams in search of an inside linebacker, including the rival Packers. There’s no question Kwiatkoski is going to get paid — roughly $7-8 million — it’s a question of it the Bears can afford him, given the other areas of need this free agency, including quarterback and tight end.

The Bears are expected to make a run at an experienced veteran quarterback to challenge Mitchell Trubisky, and that could ultimately be the difference between re-signing Kwiatkoski and settling elsewhere.

Three of Chicago’s inside linebackers are set to hit free agency — in Kwiatkoski, Trevathan and Kevin Pierre-Louis — and the Bears need to lock up Kwiatkoski or Trevathan heading into 2020.

If the Bears can’t land Kwiatkoski, Trevathan would be the primary target and serves to be a cheaper option.

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Sounds like Nick Kwiatkoski is going to get paid in free agency

Nick Kwiatkoski is one of those relatively unknown free agents set to get paid this offseason. But will the Bears be the ones to pay him?

The Bears have plenty of important decisions to make heading into free agency, which is just about one month away.

Chicago is likely to target a veteran quarterback to challenge Mitchell Trubisky, bring in a veteran tight end to bring to the fold and focus on a slew of other needs. But some of the most important decisions they’ll have to make will come about what to do with their in-house free agents.

There are several high-profile guys set to hit the free agent market, including inside linebacker Nick Kwiatkoski, defensive tackle Nick Williams and inside linebacker Danny Trevathan among others.

Sports Illustrated‘s Albert Breer believes Kwiatkoski is one of those relatively unknown free agents that is set to get paid this offseason.

Here’s the guy who’d never really gotten the chance to be a full-time starter, then did… at just the right time. The fourth-year former fourth-round pick started Chicago’s final seven games and showed that he can play the middle for someone, and he could get paid after guys like Cory Littleton and Joe Schobert come off the board. And maybe that someone will be his old coordinator, Vic Fangio in Denver.

Kwiatkoski is going to get paid. The question is: Will the Bears be the team to do it?

The Bears have several in-house pending free agents that they need to make a decision one. With three inside linebackers set to hit the open market — Kwiatkoski, Danny Trevathan and Kevin Pierre-Louis — there’s no doubt Chicago needs to re-sign at least one of those players.

The most logical option is Kwiatkoski, who is a younger and healthier option than Trevathan. Kwiatkoski shined in relief of the injured Trevathan, where he had career highs with 76 combined tackles, three sacks, four pass breakups and a safety, as well as one forced fumble. He was one of the better defenders down the stretch for the Bears.

Then there’s the question if the Bears feel comfortable enough with Pierre-Louis in a full-time role alongside Roquan Smith in the middle of that Bears defense. You figure the Bears aim to re-sign Kwiatkoski or Trevathan and possibly bring back Pierre-Louis in a reserve role.

But it sounds like if the Bears want to lock Kwiatkoski up for a long-term deal, they’re going to need to shell out some money for his services.

Is Kwiatkoski worth it? Absolutely.

Can the Bears afford it? Well, that’s another question entirely. I guess we’ll see.

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A look back at Bears’ 2019 free agent class

Before the start of the new league year, let’s take a look back at how the Bears’ 2019 free agent class fared.

Free agency is just about one month away, and the Chicago Bears will no doubt be monitoring the open market and re-signing some of their in-house players set to become free agents.

With quarterback, tight end, linebacker and defensive back just some of the positions the Bears need to address, free agency is shaping up to be a busy one come March 18.

Before the start of the new league year, let’s take a look back at how the Bears’ 2019 free agent class fared.

WR/KR Cordarrelle Patterson

Cordarrelle Patterson garnered first-team All-Pro and Pro Bowl honors in his first season with the Bears as a kick returner. He averaged 29.5 yards per kickoff return, including a 102-yard kickoff return touchdown against the New Orleans Saints. He also led the NFL with 825 kick return yards. Patterson remains one of the game’s best kick returners, and he showed that he’s also quite the gunner on special teams.

Verdict: While Patterson saw little time in Chicago’s offense, he proved to be the versatile playmaker that the Bears needed. The aim in 2020 should be to get Patterson more involved on offense, where he made some plays when given the chance.

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5 Bears players that stepped up in 2019

Even in a disappointing 8-8 season there were some players that really shined for the Bears in 2019.

There’s no sugarcoating the fact that the Chicago Bears were a bad football team in 2019. While there was a time where 8-8 would’ve been considered a win, things have changed since the ushering in of the Matt Nagy era.

Coming off a 12-4 record, a divisional title and a playoff berth, things were looking up for the NFL’s charter franchise. Instead, what ensued was a complete fall from grace, led by Chicago’s inept offense.

But even in a disappointing season there were some players that really shined. Here are five players that really stepped up their game in a disappointing 2019 season:

1. WR Allen Robinson

Receiver Allen Robinson was the lone bright spot on an abysmal Bears offense in 2019. He caught 98 passes for 1,147 yards and seven touchdowns in 2019. Robinson became the first Bears receiver to eclipse 1,000 yards since 2014.

Robinson’s solid performance was made even more impressive by the fact that he had to deal with inconsistent quarterback play, lack of a run game and a unit that never found a rhythm. Robinson has made it clear that he wants to remain with the Bears long-term, and you figure he’s the next man up for a contract extension.

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4 pending free agents the Bears need to re-sign

The Bears can’t re-sign every free agent, but there are some players they need to make it a priority to keep in Chicago.

The offseason is in full swing, and we’re just a couple months away from the start of the new league year and free agency. And the Bears have some important decisions to make when it comes to in-house free agents.

It’s impossible for the Bears to keep everyone — especially considering their salary cap situation, where they currently have just over $7 million in available cap space, according to Over The Cap.

But there are some players that the Bears need to make it a priority to keep in Chicago in 2020 and beyond.

Here are 4 pending free agents the Bears must re-sign this offseason:

1. ILB Nick Kwiatkoski

When it comes down to it, the Bears are going to have to choose between Danny Trevathan and Nick Kwiatkoski. Earlier in the season, it would’ve been an easy win for Trevathan, who was playing some of his best football. But Trevathan’s elbow injury in Week 10 and Kwiatkoski’s subsequent impressive performance soon made things more difficult.

But when it comes to deciding who to sign to an extension, the answer becomes obvious. Naturally, the Bears should sign the younger, healthier and cheaper option, which is Kwiatkoski, to pair with Roquan Smith in 2020.

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Nick Kwiatkoski offers optimism for 2020 – but Bears need to lock him up first

Bears ILB Nick Kwiatkoski is someone that should offer optimism for the playoff-less Bears heading into 2020

The Bears defense battled countless injuries in 2019, including the loss of starting inside linebackers Danny Trevathan and Roquan Smith and defensive tackle Akiem Hicks.

But the Bears saw several reserve players step up in those starters absences, perhaps none more impressive than inside linebacker Nick Kwiatkoski, who thrived in relief of Danny Trevathan.

Kwiatkoski had career highs with 76 combined tackles, three sacks, four pass breakups and a safety, as well as one forced fumble. He was one of the better defenders down the stretch for the Bears.

Kwiatkoski is someone that should offer optimism for the playoff-less Bears heading into 2020, according to Pro Football Focus.

While Kwiatkoski is a free agent, he was a bright spot for the Bears defense, filling in admirably on his 512 snaps this season. He came out of college as a solid run defender who overcame a lack of great physical tools by usually being in the right place in coverage, and that’s exactly what he did this season for the Bears. Kwiatkoski finished with a solid 72.6 overall grade while making 26 defensive stops and breaking up three passes, and that performance makes him a valuable piece to re-sign in free agency.

Kwiatkoski’s performance this season was more than enough to garner a contract extension from the Bears this offseason. The Bears have a few inside linebackers that are pending free agents, including Kwiatkoski, Trevathan and Kevin Pierre-Louis.

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These Bears are set to become free agents in 2020

The Bears have several veterans that will hit the open market at the start of the new league year.

The Chicago Bears will be turning to free agency and the NFL Draft to address their offseason needs. With free agency roughly two months away, general manager Ryan Pace has some work to do in-house with a slew of Bears players set to hit the open market on March 18.

Pace will have a decision to make at inside linebacker, which includes three Bears set to become free agents in Danny Trevathan, Nick Kwiatkoski and Kevin Pierre-Louis.

He’ll also have a decision to make on the defensive line in free agents Nick Williams and Roy Robertson-Harris, both who stepped up in Akiem Hicks and Bilal Nichols’ absences in 2019.

Let’s take a look at the Bears set to become free agents (unrestricted and restricted) in 2020:

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What are Bears’ biggest offseason priorities in 2020?

There are plenty of areas the Bears need to address this offseason — including fixing the offense and extending players in-house.

One year after hosting a playoff game, the Chicago Bears will be watching the postseason from their couches following a disappointing 8-8 season that left the Bears with more questions than answers looking forward to 2020.

There are plenty of areas the Bears need to address this offseason — including fixing the offense and extending players in-house.

With no shortage of work to be done for general manager Ryan Pace and head coach Matt Nagy, here are seven things that should be the Bears’ biggest priorities this offseason:

1. Extend WR Allen Robinson

While the Bears will turn to free agency with many needs in place, general manager Ryan Pace needs to take care of business in-house first. He did just that in extending safety Eddie Jackson for four years and $58.4 million. And there’s another player due for a big contract extension: Receiver Allen Robinson.

Robinson was the lone consistent bright spot for a Bears offense that was one of the worst in the league. Robinson had a career-best 98 receptions for 1,147 yards and seven touchdowns. He became the first Bears receiver to eclipse 1,000 yards since 2014.

Considering the circumstances under which Robinson had his success — questionable quarterback play, no run game, questionable play calling and defenses knowing the ball would be going his way — it’s even more impressive. Robinson has proven to be a clear-cut No. 1 receiver for the Bears, and Pace needs to lock him up long-term.

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