Chicago Bears: Future in doubt, Danny Trevathan remains critical to defense
While doubt reigns in Chicago Bears linebacker Danny Trevathan’s future, he remains a critical part of the team’s elite defense.
The Chicago Bears have Super Bowl dreams in 2019. Yes, there is a lot of work to be done still and there are questions abound (the kicking situation, how will the running back unit work, etc.), but this team deserves to be in talks as a Super Bowl contender.
One of the big reasons this Bears team is so strong is its dominating defense. It ranked first in total points allowed, first in total turnovers and interceptions, and first in rushing yards allowed and rushing touchdowns allowed.
One of the main cogs on the defense is inside linebacker Danny Trevathan. Trevathan was the Denver Broncos’ sixth-round draft pick in the 2012 NFL Draft. Not much was expected from him, but he played a big role in the Broncos’ Super Bowl run in 2015 and is a big piece of the Bears’ elite defense.
Last season, Trevathan finished second on the team in total tackles with 102. His inside linebacker partner, Roquan Smith, finished on top with 121. Trevathan really helped with Smith’s transition to the NFL, especially since the 2018 rookie didn’t have a training camp due to a contract holdout. Smith couldn’t have had a better teacher and Smith had a great rookie season even without an offseason of work.
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With an entire offseason of work together, this duo could be the best inside linebackers in the NFL. Both players could end up not only as Pro Bowl players but also All-Pro. These two are that good together.
Outside linebacker Khalil Mack, one of the best defensive players in the league, knows that is a loft goal but feels it’s achievable (per NBC Sports):
"“You can say that’s a large task for those guys. But I don’t think it will be.”"
Trevathan is a quiet guy who avoids the spotlight off the field but on it he’s the most vocal guy on the defense. He might not have been a Pro Bowl player, he feels he’s an All-Pro, per Yahoo:
"“In my mind, I believe that I am All-Pro. I might not have been there, but in my mind to this team, to my brothers, I want to practice and show up in games like a pro. My mentality is that I’m a pro. If that happens, I’m not worried about that stuff. I’m worried about getting my team better, getting my guys better.”"
With the Bears in a transition at defensive coordinator from Vic Fangio to Chuck Pagano, Trevathan will be a huge part of adjusting. He has the experience and the championship hardware so Pagano could lean on him. With his leadership, Trevathan will help the defense from regressing as most experts predict.
Something that lies on the horizon is Trevathan’s status on the team. He is on the final year of his four-year, $28 million deal. With upcoming contracts coming up soon for the team’s younger players, the 29-year old Trevathan could be a salary cap casualty. He still feels great, and last season played in all 17 games in 2018 and he’s ready to play even more in 2019.
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The Bears might already have his replacement on the roster in Joel Iyiegbuniwe. Iyiebuniwe played in all 16 regular-season games last season, primarily on special teams. He should see more time on the defense this season and if he does well, he and Smith together could become a great tandem for years to come.
For now, however, there is no talk about plans beyond 2019. The only plan is to finish on top of the NFL world on Feb. 2, 2020, in Miami.