Chicago Bears: Nick Kwiatkoski earning starting job
Nick Kwiatkoski should get the chance to start for the Chicago Bears moving forward
The Chicago Bears have a lot of sorting out to do when it comes to their inside linebacker position. They invested in Danny Trevathan and Jerrell Freeman, and when both are on the field it has been excellent. However, neither has been able to stay on the field. Trevathan will be back, but Freemans days are numbered.
The Bears first gave the chance to step into the spot behind Freeman to Nick Kwiatkoski. However, in his first game starting, a pectoral injury sidelined him through week eight. When Kwiatkoski came back, Trevathan was out so he saw plenty of time. However, in Trevathans first game back, they started Christian Jones next to him. It went fine, but the Bears know what they have in Jones much more than the second year product from West Virginia. The Bears chose see what they have with a duo of Kwiatkoski and Trevathan and it went well on Sunday.
Run Defense
Kwiatkoski finished with just three tackles, but he was impactful. The tackle below was a strong one as he beats the tight end and fights through traffic to track down Gio Bernard.
Pass Defense
What was surprising about the start for Kwiatkoski was his ability to affect the passing game. The Bears sent him on blitzes throughout the game, and twice he got his hands on an Andy Dalton pass.
It shows good timing and understanding of the game to keep his hands free and read the quarterback.
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Speaking of reading the quarterback he does that in a pass to Tyler Boyd. He is able to get underneath the route and get a hand on it to break the play up.
Kwiatkoski played well enough to get another start on Sunday. The Bears should see wha they have in him, and if it works out, he could have the ability to start next season as well.