Which way is the stock trending on the Chicago Bears outside linebacker
Isaiah Irving has had a strong career coming from a UDFA from San Jose State in 2017. He made the 2017 roster and even got a start under his belt before an injury took away his rookie season. In 2018, he saw the Chicago Bears bring in Khalil Mack, and posted his first career sack as a rotational pass rusher.
Last season marked three straight years making the Bears roster, an impressive feat for any UDFA. He also went from 116 snaps on defense in 2018 to 128 in 2019.
Entering 2020 he will be looking to make the Bears for the fourth straight season. However, this year it is likely going to be harder than it has been in years past.
When the Bears added Mack, Irving was competing with Aaron Lynch for legitimate snaps in 2018. They had no depth at the position. Last season, they found James Vaughters, a UDFA who is slowly becoming a younger Irving.
However, this offseason spoke loudly they do not want to rely on Irving. They flipped Leonard Floyd for Robert Quinn, upgrading the position. They also added Trevis Gipson in the draft and Barkevious Mingo in free agency. Given the draft pick and special teams play of Mingo, those two are both expected to make the roster over Irving.
So, Irving went from a third or fourth rusher in 2017 and 2018, to a fifth and potentially sixth edge rusher in 2020. It is fair to say that this is because he did not progress much over that time. It also shows that the Bears depth is much better now than it was the position.