Winners and losers of the Chicago Bears 2022 season
By Evan Bruner
Chicago Bears Loser: Trevis Gipson, DE
With how poorly the Bears’ defensive line played as a whole in 2022, it seems unfair to pin it on a single player. But if we are going to name names, third-year outside linebacker Trevis Gipson comes to mind.
Coming off a seven-sack season in 2021, Gipson was expected to have a much bigger role on the Bears’ defense in 2022. Trading away Khalil Mack to the Chargers gave him a clear path to substantial playing time. However, this increase in playing time did not lead to greater or even equal production in 2021. Fewer sacks, fewer tackles for loss, and fewer pressures.
The main takeaway from this season is that Gipson is better suited for a limited role. He was very effective as a rotational player in 2021, especially as a pass rusher, but much of his success was contingent on having a formidable compliment. Both Mack and Robert Quinn garnered enough attention from opposing offensive lines that it put less pressure on Gipson.
This season, Gipson was thrust into the fire, maybe prematurely. With Mack and Quinn gone, he was considered the best outside lineman, but that’s a tall task for a former seventh-round pick. Gipson had a chance to make a major statement before entering the final year of his rookie contract. He was unable to do so, and that’s why he ends up making the list.