The Chicago Bears defense is loaded with superstars. Khalil Mack. Akiem Hicks. Kyle Fuller. Eddie Jackson. Having that much talent can often make it easy to get overlooked. Case and point? Inside linebacker Danny Trevathan. He is one of the unquestioned leaders of that defense and a player who never gets enough credit for how good he actually is. A man who continues to be one of the best free agent signings GM Ryan Pace has made to date.
The game on Monday Night Football against the Washington Redskins may have been his best as a Bear. He finished with eight tackles including one for a loss. However, he also produced two incredibly smart plays during the game. Meaningful plays that had a direct influence on the outcome. The first came at the start of the second quarter. Washington was driving into the red zone looking to tie the score up 7-7.
Trevathan was to come on a blitz on 3rd and long. However, he added a little wrinkle to it. After initially starting the blitz, he then paused as if to show it was a fake. Then as the Redskins guard started to move towards another block, the linebacker then resumed the blitz and got a clean shot at Case Keenum for the sack. It was a brilliant play that ended up setting up a longer field goal for Washington, which they promptly missed.
He wasn’t done though.
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Danny Trevathan saved the Bears’ bacon late
Fans were undoubtedly nervous late in the game. Washington had eaten into the Bears’ lead with two second half touchdowns, making the score 28-15. They were driving for another with seven minutes left in the game. One again in the red zone, almost in the exact same spot as last time, Keenum prepared to take the snap on 4th and 1. Everybody expected a QB sneak was coming. It was a matter of what type.
Would Keenum simply tuck the ball and push along with his blockers or would he try going over the top with the ball extending? Trevathan was ready for the latter and that’s exactly what he got. When Keenum went to extend the ball, the linebacker was ready, knocking it out of his hands. Chicago recovered the fumble, ending the scoring threat.
That play by Trevathan led to five-minute drive by the offense that ended with a field goal, basically putting the game on ice. It was a brilliant display of both his talent and his uncanny instincts. Another reminder that not everybody gets the spotlight on this defense even though they should. Maybe this will finally be the year he gets recognized with a Pro Bowl nod.
