Who Will Be Manning the Middle in 2020?
The Bears have a decision to make at middle linebacker. They have Roquan Smith, a former first-round pick of Ryan Pace, who won’t be going anywhere while on a cheap deal.
They have to decide what two players to bring back between the other three MLBs they have: Danny Trevathan, Nick Kwiatkowski, and Kevin Pierre-Louis. While a lot of Bear fans wouldn’t want to see a vocal leader like Trevathan go, that could happen. However, the decision requires a lot of thinking from the front office, and they have three solid players to choose from.
Roquan Smith, 22, is a great piece that is going to stick around this defense for a long time. At 6’0 and 230 pounds, he has ideal size to be a great run support defender and be able to keep up with running backs and receivers across the middle of the field. Roquan has great speed to keep up with today’s athletes in the NFL too. He is here to stick around for a long time in a Bears uniform. He isn’t going anywhere.
Danny Trevathan
Danny Trevathan, 29, will be 30 this coming March and is a free agent. He has been a vocal leader in the locker room according to teammates and coaches, but will certainly cost a lot more than possible alternates the Bears could sign. He has been on injured reserve the last few weeks and also missed a few games in the 2018 season. At the age of 30, he isn’t gonna get any healthier while getting older. Trevathan will also probably garner a rather large market from needy teams come March. While Trevathan is a solid player and a great leader for any locker room, the Bears’ best choice would be to let him walk after this season.
Nick Kwiatkowski
With Trevathan most likely out of the picture for 2020, the Bears would need to bring in a new starter. One guy they can re-sign to become a starter is Nick Kwiatkowski. Kwiatkowski, 26, has continually been great depth for the Bears since being drafted in the fourth round of 2016 (another mid-round Pace gem). Kwiatkowski has always been solid as a run defender and tackler but has struggled in coverage.
While filling in for Trevathan this season, Kwiatkowski has been playing some of the best football of his career. He is certainly making his case to become a starter in Chuck Pagano’s defense in 2020 if he is re-signed.
Kevin Pierre-Louis
Another guy the Bears could re-sign to be a possible starter in 2020 and beyond is Kevin Pierre-Louis. Pierre-Louis, 28, can flat out play. Pierre-Louis has bounced around four different teams in six seasons in the NFL. he hasn’t been able to find a consistent home but is playing like he wants to find one. Although he has made some stupid plays (both running into the kicker penalties vs OAK and KC), he has 4.4 speed and has played brilliantly in place of the injured Roquan Smith.
The Bears have a dilemma on their hands, but thankfully it is the good kind. The Bears should let Trevathan walk. He’s just getting older and isn’t gonna get any healthier or more athletic, and the NFL is going the complete opposite direction. The Bears should bring back both Kwiatkowski and Pierre-Louis and let them battle for the starting spot in camp (just like QB!). Kwiatkowski has been around the organization longer, but Pierre-Louis is playing lights out.
It will certainly be a battle to watch coming into camp. The Bears shouldn’t even need to look into the outside market for a new starter at inside linebacker unless Kwiatkowski or Pierre-Louis’s markets heat up.
No matter what happens, the Bears are set at middle linebacker for years to come, just like they have been for nearly the entire existence of the franchise.
Featured Image: Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune
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