Chicago Bears: Trevis Gipson working hard to contribute right away

Chicago Bears rookie linebacker Trevis Gipson is working hard to contribute to the team’s elite defense. He wants to be considered among the top talent in the unit.

One of the surprising things that happened in the 2020 NFL offseason was the Chicago Bears making a strong push to improve a defense that, despite suffering a number of injuries, finished fourth in total points allowed in 2019.

General manager Ryan Pace made a number of moves to change up the defense. He allowed Ha Ha Clinton-Dix to leave via free agency so that Eddie Jackson could move back to free safety. As a result, Tashaun Gibson signed to be the starting strong safety.

Pace and the Bears also cut Leonard Floyd, who underwhelmed in his four seasons in Chicago. In came Pro Bowl and All-Pro linebacker Robert Quinn. Quinn and Khalil Mack are expected to wreak havoc on opposing offenses for the foreseeable future.

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One concern about Quinn, however, is his age. He just turned 30 and just signed a five-year, $70 million deal. Not many feel he’ll see the end of that contract. That is likely the reason the Bears drafted Trevis Gipson in the fifth round of this year’s draft.

Pace made an aggressive trade to select Gipson. He gave up a 2021 fourth-round pick to make that selection. He even received some criticism for that move. Many draft “experts” felt Pace reached to draft Gipson. They felt Gipson would be available later in the draft.

To be fair, Gipson is a project. He is still raw, but there is a lot about him that excites. This is what NFL.com draft analyst Lance Zierlein said about Gipson:

"He’s quite raw and in the dead center of his developmental phase, but it’s hard not to get excited by the traits and flashes. Gipson was a late bloomer so he is still a little behind in his fundamentals and technique. He doesn’t have go-to moves and counters, but the rush is real with a long, explosive first step and the athleticism and length to win the edge and harass the pocket."

While he’s considered a project this season, Gipson wants to do more. He wants to contribute right away and he’s working hard to make that happen. He’s soaking up all the information he can and speaking to whoever can help him. He said, per NBC Sports Chicago, he’s been spending time with Mack, a great thing for any rookie to do.

"[I’m] being a sponge. Taking in the right stuff from the right people that have already been a part of the league and just making sure their mistakes that they made I try to avoid those myself… Khalil Mack hit me up; asked me if I needed anything, that he was there for me. [I’m] getting a feel for everybody and being all eyes open."

Gipson has enjoyed the team’s virtual offseason program but he’s ready to put on the pads and hit the field. He wants to show that he isn’t just a project and he’s ready to contribute. He’s excited to surround himself with all of the elite players on this Chicago Bears defense.

The Bears may try to move Gipson along slowly. They probably plan on having him eventually becoming the starter to replace Quinn. Gipson, however, wants to show that even while Quinn is the starter he can still do plenty to help immediately.