Inside linebacker hasn’t gotten much attention from the Chicago Bears the past few years. Not a surprise when you have two capable starters firmly entrenched. However, times are changing. Roquan Smith is ascending to possible All-Pro status. The same cannot be said for his longtime wingman. Danny Trevathan was a tremendous signing by the Bears in 2016, but it appears age is starting to catch up to him.
On the surface, last season didn’t seem so bad. Trevathan started every game and finished with 113 tackles. The second-most of his career. However, numbers can sometimes lie. For much of the year, it felt like the linebacker was a step slow on several plays. Especially in coverage. Opposing quarterbacks had a 118.4 passer rating when throwing in his direction. He finished his second-straight season without an interception.
Just days from his 31st birthday, it’s hard to tell how much longer he has.
The Bears didn’t draft anybody at inside linebacker last year. A surefire sign they expected Trevathan to remain a fixed starter for some time to come. Has that stance changed going into 2021? It certainly feels that way. According to Jacob Infante of SB Nation, the team was present at the Missouri pro day where they met with promising standout Nick Bolton. One many believe could be a 1st or 2nd round pick this April.
Mizzou LB Nick Bolton confirms to me that he has met with the #Bears.
Intelligent and productive linebacker at the collegiate level who is viewed heavily as a Round 1-2 prospect.
— Jacob Infante (@jacobinfante24) March 22, 2021
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Bolton stands out as an alpha-type linebacker. A tone-setter. He loves to hit and shows the instincts and play recognition to find the ball carrier. He’s also athletic enough to function well in coverage. This guy is a hunter who is afraid of nobody. The big concern teams have with him is size. At just 6’0, 232 lbs he is short for his position. Then again he is the exact same size as Trevathan. So the Bears probably don’t mind that much.
Danny Trevathan could be playing his final season in Chicago
While his contract was not well-constructed in hindsight, the Bears will have their first chance to escape from it next offseason. A post-June 1st designated release would net them $3 million in cap space with just $2.43 million in dead money. So depending on how this upcoming season goes, it’s possible Chicago could be gearing up to move on after 2021. Especially with a likely extension coming for Smith at some point too.
Josh Wood and Joel Iyiegbuniwe remain the backups this year. Neither can be considered eventual starters at this point. It wouldn’t be a surprise if the Bears add competition in the draft. It’s a matter of when they do that. Evaluating Bolton suggests they may be willing to do it early. Not a good sign for Danny Trevathan. Another reminder that being 30 or older in the NFL requires no slip in production because teams are almost eager to replace you with a younger guy.
Can he deliver one of his vintage performances this time around?
He’ll have to. The Bears aren’t going to tiptoe around him. They already released Kyle Fuller and let Tashaun Gipson walk. Akiem Hicks was almost released as well. It feels like a youth movement is coming. Trevathan can only hope to avoid it by playing good football. Otherwise, somebody like Bolton will trot him out of town.