Traditionally, inside linebacker has been a position the Bears have always valued more than most. Or at least, done better with than most. No other organization in the NFL has the same grouping of legends like Bill George, Dick Butkus, Mike Singletary, and Brian Urlacher..
Similarly, Bears’ general manager Ryan Pace clearly puts a premium on being set in the middle. His 2016 investments in Danny Trevathan ($7.15 million per year), and Jerrell Freeman ($4 million), painted the picture of attempting to set the foundation of Chicago’s defense with two of the more underrated but solid linebackers in football.