Chicago Bears: 5 deepest position groups for 2021
By Joseph Herff
Chicago Bears Position Groups: No. 4 – Inside Linebacker
The Bears always seem to have a great inside linebacker room. It’s like our running back room. It’s a Chicago thing to always have an elite middle linebacker like Brian Urlacher or Dick Butkus. This time, it’s Roquan Smith. Smith posted unbelievable numbers last season leading all inside linebackers in tackles for a loss. He additionally was hard to throw against as his pass coverage ability was outstanding. They need to extend him.
After starting the season slowly, Danny Trevathan started to pick it up later in the season. The aging inside linebacker struggles in pass coverage, but he does a good job in the run game. He’s been loyal to the Bears and tough as nails, but he needs to step up his game this season. Hopefully, Desai’s scheme can help him a bit.
The Bears brought back a high-end back up in a familiar face, Christian Jones. Jones played a lot in 2017 for the Bears due to injuries, but he has been a backup the majority of his career. He was mainly a starter in 2019 on Detroit, but he was irrelevant, as was everyone on the Lions under Matt Patricia. Jones will bring depth to this position group that was desperately needed last year.
After these three, Josh Woods and Joel Iyiegbuniwe will be fighting for arguably one roster spot. Both sat in the playoff game in favor of practice squad inside linebacker Manti Te’o, so neither have shown much that they are ready to play inside linebacker. Likely the better special teamer will make the roster.