Chicago Bears: Kylie Fitts, Isaiah Irving must continue strong play

Chicago Bears outside linebackers Kylie Fitts and Isaiah Irving must prove that their strong performances in the 2018 Hall of Fame Game were no flukes.

Two of the standouts in the Hall of Fame game for the Chicago Bears were outside linebackers Kylie Fitts and Isaiah Irving. Both were credited with one sack and showed flashes of pass rushing upside. Even though both were called for offsides penalties, Fitts and Irving showed a good first-step and quickness around the corner.

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These kind of performances in the first preseason game (a 17-16 loss to the Baltimore Ravens, for what it is worth) usually don’t hold much weight. After all, it’s usually young, inexperienced third-string players battling young, inexperienced third-string players. However, both Fitts and Irving have had strong training camps (especially Fitts), so it was good to see positive results in an actual game.

However, now it’s up to both pass rushers to show that their strong preseason showing wasn’t just a flash-in-the-pan. There are opportunities for both players to not just make the team, but play large roles on it. With Aaron Lynch still injured, Leonard Floyd is the only established pass rusher the Bears have at outside linebacker.

Sam Acho—an eight-year veteran—is not a prolific pass rusher, and Fitts and Irving have more pass rushing upside than he does. The Bears are trying to replace the production of veterans such as Pernell McPhee (now with the Washington Redskins), Willie Young, and Lamarr Houston. That’s going to be difficult to do if Fitts and/or Irving don’t step-up and become solid rotational pieces at linebacker.

With five preseason games this year, all of the young Bears’ players have the opportunity to put more quality tape out there. Fitts and Irving have gotten off to great starts, but now they must continue it.