Chicago Bears Free Agency: Assessing 3 inside linebacker options

Danny Trevathan

Let’s be clear. If money is out of the equation altogether, Danny Trevathan is the guy you bring back, if you’re Ryan Pace. There is no question he is the most talented player out of this group.

When Trevathan is healthy, he is still one of the best inside linebackers in the NFL. The problem is, though, he’s only played 16 games once since becoming a Bear. Last year, he appeared in just nine games before being shut down for the season. In those nine games, Trevathan tallied 70 tackles and finished with double-digit tackles in three games.

What’s great about Trevathan is that he is by far and away the best in coverage out of these three. He’s versatile. If Chuck Pagano wants to send him on a blitz, here and there, so be it. But, in his full season two years ago, Trevathan did come up with six passes defensed.

During that healthy 2018 season, he also compiled 102 tackles, eight tackles for loss, a pair of interceptions, two sacks, a forced fumble and fumble recovery.

Make no mistake about him. Trevathan is a Pro Bowl-caliber player if he’s on the field. You’re talking about a guy who has finished with triple-digit tackles three times during his career.

Trevathan’s most recent contract was a 4-year deal worth $28 million. He’ll still end up as the most expensive of the three, here. But, if the Bears could bring him back somewhere around $18 million over three years (or somewhere around that annual average), that’s a huge win.

If Pace simply wants to bring back the most versatile, talented and experienced player at this position, it’s Trevathan — hands down.