Chicago Bears: 6 players whose expectations are still uncertain

5. Joel Iyiegbuniwe – Will he be able to handle a bigger role?

Joel Iyiegbuniwe is definitely someone who is flying under the radar heading into the 2020 Bears season, but he will have an impact as a rotational piece up the middle of the Chicago defense.

Roquan Smith and Danny Trevathan, when healthy, form one of the best middle linebacker duos in the NFL. Though when each missed time the last two seasons, Nick Kwitkasoki filled-in spectacularly. His play with the Chicago Bears earned Kwitkasoki a massive free-agent contract this offseason with the Las Vegas Raiders. Kevin Pierre-Louis, another depth contributor, left the Bears as well and he played well too when called upon.

That leaves Iyiegbuniwe and Josh Woods as rotational middle linebackers and potential starters if needed due to injury. Iyiegbuniwe saw just three snaps total on defense last season but figures to be a more important player for the Bears this season as players in front of him on the depth chart in years past are now gone.

The 24-year-old will certainly see more time on the field this season. Middle linebacker is a complex position on the field, with many different responsibilities. It is possible that the Bears coaching staff did not have faith in the young Iyiegbuniwe to anchor the defense effectively in seasons past.

Will a bigger role reveal Iyiegbuniwe to be a reliable piece for the Bears defense?