Chicago Bears: 5 Under-the-radar free agent targets in 2020
5. Joe Schobert, LB
The Chicago Bears have a big decision to make at inside linebacker. Danny Trevathan and Nick Kwiatkoski are both set to hit free agency. Kwiatkoski came in and played admirably when Trevathan got injured and missed seven games.
Kwiatkoski probably played himself into a big contract that the Bears just can’t do. There is a team out there who will take a chance and sign him for big bucks to be a starter. With his injury, the Bears could sign Trevathan to a “prove it” contract. With his times in Chicago, he may even sign a multi-year deal to stay. (Update: The Bears have reportedly re-signed Trevathan.)
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If that doesn’t happen, the Bears could turn to Joe Schobert. Schobert might not get the attention other players like Cory Littleton, Blake Martinez or his own teammate, Christian Kirksey. But whoever gets him will get a very good and tough player.
Schobert was the Cleveland Browns’ fourth-round pick in 2016. He made the Pro Bowl in 2017 when he led the league in tackles with 144. Also, he’s missed only three games in the 64 Browns games in four seasons.
Throughout his career, Schobert has been a tackling machine. After registering just 28 tackles in his rookie season (in which he only had 4 starts), he became a starter and registered 380 tackles in three seasons.
In addition to his tackling skills, Schobert does a good job in coverage. He’s been targeted over 100 times in the last two seasons but only gave up five touchdowns. Also, he had 22 quarterback pressures in that same time period.
Pairing Schobert with Roquan Smith and having Eddie Goldman at nose gives the Bears a strong presence up the middle. They could be almost impenetrable against the run and Smith and Schobert could cover as well. This could make the Chicago Bears defense even more dominant and it could happen with a good value in Schobert.