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Five Questions with Jerrell Freeman

By Bill Zimmerman

Oct 19, 2014; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indianapolis Colts inside linebacker Jerrell Freeman (50) reacts after a defensive stop during the first quarter against the Cincinnati Bengals at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Pat Lovell-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 19, 2014; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indianapolis Colts inside linebacker Jerrell Freeman (50) reacts after a defensive stop during the first quarter against the Cincinnati Bengals at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Pat Lovell-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Chicago Bears inked Jerrell Freeman to a three-year contract in the offseason. Freeman joins fellow free agent acquisition Danny Trevathan to help bolster the Bears inside linebacker positions. Freeman recently joined Bears Banter: The BGO Podcast to talk about leaving Indianapolis, coming to Chicago, and what former Bears’ LB happens to be one of his idols. Click here to go to the podcast page or listen to the interview in full on the embedded player at the bottom of the page.

Jerrell, when you entered free agency, did you expect to stay in Indianapolis and what exactly went into the decision process to inevitably leave Indy and come to Chicago?

Of course, when you’ve been there (in Indianapolis) for four years and been really productive and kind of know the whole landscape of things and you’ve built that relationship and definitely think you are going to stay there for the rest of your career. But it just didn’t work out, they were ready to move on, I guess, to better things. I don’t know what goes into making those decisions. They made me an offer, which was less than I got in Chicago, three weeks before free agency- it was like a take it or leave it deal, I was like, free agency is right around the corner so I’ll test the market. They was like, well, good luck in free agency, and it was done after that. We never really talked after that, no negotiations or anything, so I said, well, they’ve made their decision. I don’t have any hard feelings for because it’s a business. They feel like they did what’s best for their team and I can respect that. Time for me to move on and do what’s best for me.

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Once you arrived at Halas Hall, the next day you signed a contract. When you came to Chicago and met with Ryan Pace and John Fox and the coaching staff, what was it that made you know that you wanted to be a part of this Bears’ organization.

Well, they wouldn’t let me leave the building (laughs). I think it was being transparent about everything and being straight shooters and genuine people. They’re open; there’s nothing shady about anything. They’re going to let you know about where you fit and how they see you mesh with everybody around and all the pieces. Their pitch was pretty simple. Here it is, here’s what we got and we want you to be a part of this puzzle. I liked the whole family atmosphere and how everything is run. Everybody from top to bottom was on the same page; it was pretty seamless. And just knowing Fox from what guys have told me and tell me what he’s about and seeing him during training camp because we were able to do training camp with them last year, they came to Indianapolis, and to see how he interacted with his guys, I had a great time, he was even interacting with us, he was laughing and going on, he’s a pretty upbeat guy. And I know Fangio from some of the guys who played with him, it was just a good fit.

The Bears linebacking corps between you, Danny Trevathan, Pernell McPhee and Lamarr Houston could be a special group, what do you guys think as a group you can accomplish on Sundays this year?

I don’t know, hopefully a lot. Everybody is the same way, I know Danny thinks the same way. We don’t want to just be guys just on paper good, we want to go out there and understand the scheme, understand what’s going on, be able to start to work together build a relationship better than ever before, and start getting better each and every day and just ascend. Danny is a smart player, Pernell and Houston- everybody’s smart players. They understand the scheme. They’ve been in it. This is my first year in it, but I plan on picking it up pretty fast and getting to work… Everybody has the same drive, there’s no egos, no big heads, we’re just trying to work towards a common goal, and I’m hoping that goal is the ultimate thing that everybody’s looking for. Especially in Chicago, everybody talks about defense, coming up in Indy, it was a lot of offense, but in Chicago it’s going to have all the interest on defense, but we got a pretty good offense too.

Oct 4, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bears nose tackle Eddie Goldman (91) celebrates with Chicago Bears defensive end Jarvis Jenkins (96), Chicago Bears outside linebacker Pernell McPhee (92) and Chicago Bears linebacker Lamarr Houston (99) after he sacked Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) in the first half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 4, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bears nose tackle Eddie Goldman (91) celebrates with Chicago Bears defensive end Jarvis Jenkins (96), Chicago Bears outside linebacker Pernell McPhee (92) and Chicago Bears linebacker Lamarr Houston (99) after he sacked Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) in the first half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-USA TODAY Sports /

 I don’t know if you pay attention to NFL history, but as a linebacker in Chicago, with Briggs and Urlacher, and then in the 80s Mike Singletary, Wilbur Marshall, Otis Wilson; Dick Butkus back in the 60s and guys like Buffone and Bill George- this is a team that has a history of great linebackers. Are you aware of the history and what does it mean to be a part of that group now?

If you follow football at all, you know that Chicago Bears and linebackers just go together, it’s always been a thing. There’s a reason I wear number 50 and that’s because of Mike Singletary. That’s why I’ve been wearing it all my career, I had some mixed feelings about even getting the number, I was like, ah man, I don’t even know if I should get the number (laughs).  I know there’s mixed feelings from the fans about that the number should be retired. Mike Singletary is a great guy. I’m from Waco, Texas. He went to college there at Baylor. Growing up, hearing about Singletary, and when I get to my Division III college that I went to, Mary Hardin-Baylor, my coach coached him in college. He was always praising Singletary, the type of guy he is, the type of player he is and he was like, you remind me of him. I’ve always looked up to Singletary, and I’m hoping to do his number right.

 Personally, I love that Jerrell Freeman celebration. When you make a big play, you don’t taunt guys, you take a step away from them and let out this primal scream. I don’t know when that started, but how long have you been doing it and how exactly did that start?

(Laughs) I’ve been doing that since I got to the pros. I did it up in Canada, getting sacks, or big plays or whatever. I think it just stemmed from me watching Dragon Ball Z and seeing Goku hitting that Super Saiyan or whatever. I’m still trying to get it, maybe one of these days I’ll hit it (laughs). But I just like getting out there and enjoying myself.

Next: Bears Banter: BGO Podcast- Ep.1 with Hub Arkush

Lastly- Bears- Packers, you get it? 

Oh you get it from afar. Two of the most storied franchises- the rivalry. If you don’t get it, you’re asleep man.

Bill Zimmerman is an editor and featured writer for FanSided‘s BearGogglesOn. Like his Facebook page or follow him on Twitter for more news and interaction.

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