47 days until Chicago Bears 2017 season kicks off: Isaiah Irving profile
The Bear Goggles On Countdown to Kickoff series is now underway. With 47 days to go until the Bears season kicks off, we will highlight outside linebacker Isaiah Irving
2016 Review
Irving went to San Jose State and was a senior in 2016. 2016 was a breakout year for Irving. Irving put up four sacks in his first three years and seven in his senior season. He also put up 11.5 tackles for loss in three years compared to 11 tackles for loss as a senior. Irving was an undrafted free agent, but may not even have a job at this point if it were not for his big senior season.
2017 Outlook
Irving has a long road to the roster. If healthy, the Bears would have a formidable rotation at outside linebacker. Leonard Floyd, Pernell McPhee, Willie Young, and Lamarr Houston is touted rotation. With Dan Skuta, Sam Acho, Christian Jones, John Timu and Jonathan Anderson all in the mix, it is clear that Irving is here to put some tape out there and find a job on the practice squad.
Future with the Bears
The best situation for Irving and the Bears would be for him to spend one season on the practice squad. He is not a known quantity and should be able to work on the practice squad all year without being poached. From there, he can spend at least another year with the team and head into 2018 training camp ready to compete for a job. Of course, only ten players can make it, and he is not even guaranteed to stick on the roster. The future of Irving will be revealed when he gets his first swing at the big leagues in training camp.