Multiple reports suggest that the Chicago Bears are about to land free agent linebacker Danny Trevathan. For the second consecutive off season, the Bears have landed and young, impact player for their 3-4 defense in free agency.
With money to spend and obvious need across the roster, the Chicago Bears always figured to be real contenders in free agency this off season. They did not get heavily involved in the massive money spent on defensive lineman Malik Jackson, but the Bears have reportedly brought in his former teammate.
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With an obvious holes at the inside linebacker position and a connection to Bears’ head coach John Fox, Danny Trevathan has always been a free agent who would make sense for Chicago.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Bears and Trevathan have come to an agreement.
Bears are signing former Broncos LB Danny Trevathan, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 9, 2016
For the second consecutive off season, the Bears will make an immediate splash signing that not only helps their 3-4 defense tremendously right now, but also going forward.
Trevathan is an extremely athletic and skilled linebacker who will be a massive upgrade at the position in Chicago immediately. Cut from the same mold of Vic Fangio inside linebackers of the past, Trevathan has great range and play-making ability at the position. He is a strong coverage linebacker who will also make plenty of plays in the run game.
Trevathan will instantly legitimatize the inside linebacker position of the Bears, and having him around to make plays should help the growth of Christian Jones beside him. Plus, at 25-years-old (soon to be 26), Trevathan can grow with the defense as rapid improvement on that side of the ball is expected going forward.
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The signing of Trevathan is extremely reminiscent of the Bears’ move to open free agency last season. The recent transition to the 3-4 defense has gone well, but they have some work to do in adding players who fit the scheme well. Last off season, they brought in Pernell McPhee who had 3-4 success with the Baltimore Ravens.
McPhee stepped in as a versatile weapon for Fangio in the Bears’ defense, and immediately became their best player on that side of the ball. While in a different role, Trevathan will come in with a ton of 3-4 experience and success as well. He will immediately challenge McPhee for the best player on the defensive unit, and the two players will wreak havoc together for the foreseeable future.
The Bears will undoubtedly make more moves in free agency, with defensive lineman Akiem Hicks being the most rumored target for the team at the moment. However, with Trevathan’s signing out-of-the-way, the team knows that they have already greatly improved their biggest weakness on the roster.
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Trevathan is an incredibly talented player who is going to make a huge difference on the Bears’ defense. This is a great impact signing by the front office as we kick off the wild NFL free agency period.