Chicago Bears Training Camp Preview: Inside Linebackers

3. Player battles to watch

The biggest battle to watch between inside linebackers will be Nick Kwiatkoski and Joel Iyiegbuniwe. The two made the team last year, however, with more bodies on the roster this year, the Bears could be forced into an either-or-decision with Kwiatkoski and Iyiegbuniwe.

The Bears can go multiple different routes here. If the Bears want speed, then Iyiegbuniwe would make the most sense. He’s not as fast as guys like Roquan Smith, but will certainly get the job done. One of the major reasons he didn’t see more playing time in 2018 was due to the logjam at linebacker.

While that logjam still exists, Iyiegbuniwe has a chance to climb up the depth chart quickly if he can put together a few strong practices and be consistent while doing so. As of right now, it seems as if he’s got a 60 percent chance to make the roster.

Kwiatkoski on the other hands is a different story. He’s been with the Bears since 2016 and has made the roster each of the last three years. Now, as he heads into his fourth season, he’ll just need to impress enough to the point where he’s proven that his play has improved since entering the NFL.

If the Bears are really forced into an either-or situation with Iyiegbuniwe and Kwiatkoski then it’s likely that Kwiatkoski ends up getting the final roster spot. If this is the case, then the Bears will need to acknowledge that Kwiatkoski has his limitations as well and won’t be a quality every-down replacement should an injury occur.