Danny Trevathan or Nick Kwiatkoski?
photo via theathletic.com
A very interesting dilemma that the Chicago Bears face this offseason is the expiring contracts of Danny Trevathan and Nick Kwiatkoski. Both of these players are middle linebackers and with both of their contracts expiring, the Bears will have an empty spot on their defense. Going into the season, Danny Trevathan started alongside Roquan Smith. The first time Kwiatkoski played meaningful snaps was in a Week 4 matchup vs the Vikings. Kwiatkoski played in this game due to Roquan Smith dealing with personal issues. Kwiatkoski then proceeded to post a stat line of 8 solo tackles, 1 assisted tackle, 2 tackles for loss, 1 sack, 1 QB hit, and a forced fumble. No one was expecting Kwiatkoski to standout in the way that he did. His performance impressed many fans and started the debate of Trevathan vs Kwiatkoski. In a week 10 matchup vs Detroit, Danny Trevathan suffered a gruesome arm injury that would end his 2019 season. Despite Kwiatkoski's strong week 4 performance, no one expected Nick Kwiatkoski to do much in Danny Trevathans absence. They were wrong.
In 9 games, Nick Kwiatkoski posted career highs in sacks, combined tackles, solo tackles, assisted tackles, tackles for loss, Interceptions, pass deflections, and tied his career high for QB hits as well as forced fumbles. His final stat line was 3 sacks, 68 combined tackles, 50 solo tackles, 18 assisted tackles, 8 tackles for loss, 1 interception, 4 pass deflections, 3 QB hits, and 1 forced fumble. For being a replacement, those are very good numbers especially when you realize he only played 9 games. On the other hand, Danny Trevathan was on pace to post a career high in QB hits. He was also on pace to have his second best season in terms of combined tackles, solo tackles and he was on pace to have his third best season in assisted tackles. He posted 70 combined tackles, 50 solo tackles, 20 assisted tackles, 2 tackles for loss, 4 QB hits, 1 pass deflection and 1 forced fumble. Those numbers aren’t very impressive for a player that has been in the league for 8 years. If you want to make the argument for Danny Trevathan, it should be that he is a leader on the defense and has the experience of winning a Super Bowl. On the opposite side, if you want to make the the argument for Nick Kwiatkoski it should be that he is younger and can be signed for a cheaper contract. Either way, it comes down to whether the Chicago Bears prefer experience or youth.