Da Windy City
Fansided

Chicago Bears: 5 players who could be first-time Pro Bowl selections

By Dan Schmelzer

CHICAGO, IL - DECEMBER 04: Leonard Floyd #94 of the Chicago Bears sacks Blaine Gabbert #2 of the San Francisco 49ers in the end zone for a safety at Soldier Field on December 4, 2016 in Chicago, Illinois. The Bears defeated the 49ers 26-6. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL - DECEMBER 04: Leonard Floyd #94 of the Chicago Bears sacks Blaine Gabbert #2 of the San Francisco 49ers in the end zone for a safety at Soldier Field on December 4, 2016 in Chicago, Illinois. The Bears defeated the 49ers 26-6. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
5 of 6
Next
Jerrell Freeman Chicago Bears
CHICAGO, IL – OCTOBER 31: Danny Trevathan #59 and Jerrell Freeman #50 of the Chicago Bears break up a pass intended for Matt Asiata #44 of the Minnesota Vikings during the fourth quarter of their game at Soldier Field on October 31, 2016 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /

2. Jerrell Freeman, Inside Linebacker

Linebacker Jerrell Freeman was absolutely fantastic in his first season with the Chicago Bears. Freeman missed four games late in the season with a suspension, but the former CFL star piled up an impressive 86 total tackles on the season.

Freeman was such a consistent force in the middle of the Bears defense, cleaning everything up in the run game and showing solid overall coverage skills. He is a quick linebacker who can range from sideline-to-sideline and is always one of the toughest guys on the field.

Freeman was a big-time bright spot on a 2016 Bears’ team with very few. In fact, according to Pro Football Focus, Freeman was the best linebacker in the NFL last season, with an incredible 93.8 grade.

PFF had Freeman just ahead of Luke Kuechly and Bobby Wagner, both of who made the Pro Bowl. Sean Lee of the Dallas Cowboys even got the edge over Freeman to replace the injured Kuechly.

The suspension obviously hurt any chances that Freeman had to go to the Pro Bowl, but he undoubtedly played at a high enough level to make it last season. Freeman is a fantastic inside linebacker who continues to go underrated. Passing up Kuechly or Wagner will not be easy, but if Freeman can keep his nose clean, he undoubtedly has a chance to do so.

Home/Chicago Bears