The Chicago Bears defense still has a chance to be solid in 2021. They have a number of old guard capable of producing a vintage-type year like Akiem Hicks, Khalil Mack, Robert Quinn, and Danny Trevathan. At the same time, a lot of this hinges on the younger players. They know guys like Roquan Smith and Jaylon Johnson are going to play well. What they need to know is if picks they invested a lot in start to show progress. A notable name among them is Trevis Gipson.
The Bears gave up a future 4th round pick in 2021 to grab Gipson in the 5th round last year. That is how much they liked him as a talent. He’d flashed a ton of potential at Tulsa as a pass rusher. The assessment at the time was he managed to still produce good numbers despite being out of position as a defensive end. Given time to adjust to playing outside linebacker, it was felt he could transform into a good player.
By the sound of things, the team is banking on it this year.
Adam Jahns of The Athletic spoke in a recent column that the coaching staff plans to make adjustments to their approach at outside linebacker this year. One of their main priorities is reducing the number of snaps Quinn plays. This in an effort to keep his body fresh and maximize his worth as a rusher. That means they’re going to need greater contributions from their other linebackers. Gipson being the biggest.
In an effort to get more than two sacks from Quinn, the Bears indicated that his snaps could be limited to benefit him in certain situations. Signing Jeremiah Attaochu does help. He’s a better, younger version of Barkevious Mingo, who played 390 defensive snaps last season.
But Trevis Gipson’s development is more important. He’ll be in the spotlight in camp because of Quinn’s lack of production and looming decline in playing time. The Bears traded into the fifth round to draft Gipson last year. Without any progress from Gipson, pass rusher is an extremely thin position group.
“Trevis is an important piece,” outside linebackers coach Bill Shuey said.
It is difficult to gauge where Gipson is at this point. He didn’t play much at all through most of the 2020 season. Just 13 snaps before Week 12. However, he started to get more action down the final stretch. All things considered, he didn’t play too badly. Over the remaining five games, he logged 58 snaps and managed three QB hits including one on Aaron Rodgers himself. The flashes were there.
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Rookie 5th round pick Trevis Gipson has played 67 snaps this season and gotten to rush the passer on only about 35 or so of those but this is a rep to be proud of. Beats Tunsil clean inside to force Watson off his spot. pic.twitter.com/HmGlk8aKyE
— Brandon Thorn (@BrandonThornNFL) December 31, 2020
Trevis Gipson faces a pivotal training camp
The Bears have high hopes for him, but they also aren’t going to just hand him more snaps. He’ll have to earn them. To that end, they made sure to provide plenty of competition. Veteran Jeremiah Attaochu comes over from Denver where he had a solid two-year run under Vic Fangio. Also in the mix is undrafted rookie Charles Snowden who many experts felt was among the most talented available.
If Trevis Gipson doesn’t make his move now, then he faces the danger of fading into the background as many, many later round picks tend to do. The coaches believe in him. They think he is capable of big things in Chicago. It is time to start showing why. The first step is going into training camp and making more plays.
Force them to pay attention.
Waiting around for an opportunity won’t cut it. If he does end up taking that next step? The Bears’ pass rush will be in a much better spot. Not just for 2021 but in the future. One can imagine they may think about him as a potential starter by as early as next year. The first opportunity they’ll have to escape Quinn’s lofty contract. Otherwise, edge rusher could become a focus next offseason.