Chicago Bears Training Camp Profile: Nick Kwiatkoski

Following the mayhem of NFL Free Agency and the 2018 NFL Draft, where does Chicago Bears reserve linebacker Nick Kwiatkoski sit in his role going into training camp?

After the Chicago Bears released veteran linebacker Jerrell Freeman this offseason, it looked like third-year starter Nick Kwiatkoski was set to step in and start in his place. Of course, that all changed when the Bears invested their first-round pick in Georgia linebacker Roquan Smith.

Still, Kwiatkoski’s role looked good as a firm backup. But, at one point, it was said he was switching to outside linebacker — I wasn’t a fan of this move.

Now, with the Bears’ latest roster release, Kwiatkoski is shown as an inside backer where, at least I would hope, he is to stay. This is great news heading into camp, as he doesn’t have to learn a new position and can be a huge asset to the team where he is most comfortable.

While he wasn’t a full-time starter in 2017, Kwiatkoski did start six games last year (he started seven over his rookie season). He filled in when needed and actually produced much better than most people may realize. Even the guys over at Pro Football Focus took notice of his production:

Considering the Bears’ lack of depth at linebacker and the injuries suffered in the past couple of seasons to veterans who are no longer with the team, Kwiatkoski becomes invaluable to this defense. Smith and Danny Trevathan will obviously be the Week 1 starters, but I believe Kwiatkoski is firmly cemented as the “next man up” should something happen to them.

Over the course of training camp, Kwiatkoski will serve as one of the best mentors to a guy like Smith. I’m sure he isn’t thrilled about being second on the depth chart once again, but if he embraces his role for the sake of the team, the linebacker group will benefit greatly.

Kwiatkoski is an example of a player who seemingly improved each game since his rookie year. He’s always been a “do your job” type of player, which I can appreciate in a league with so many “me-first” mentalities.

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If you have a backup linebacker who performed at an elite level in terms of pass rush and run-stopping, I’d call that somewhat of a secret weapon in your back pocket. If the Bears aren’t careful, they could end up losing their most valuable backup linebacker eventually. Kwiatkoski will certainly get attention once he is a free agent in 2020, and by then, he could be ready to assume a full-time starting spot with another team.