Are Chicago Bears close to landing LB Danny Trevathan?
According to multiple sources, the Bears have had significant negotiations with and could be close to signing the Broncos' Danny Trevathan, arguably the best inside linebacker available when free agency begins at 3 p.m. Wednesday.
Although contracts for unrestricted free agents cannot be executed until the 3 p.m. official start, teams have been permitted to negotiate with players' agents since 11 a.m. Monday.
Trevathan, who turns 26 later this month, was the second-leading tackler on the Broncos' Super Bowl champion defense last season and also had 2 interceptions.
Before that he played the previous three years under Bears head coach John Fox when Fox held the same position in Denver.
“Coach Fox is one of the guys who gave me an opportunity to showcase how I can fit in any scheme,” Trevathan told reporters in the days leading up to Super Bowl 50. “I'm sure we'll end up talking.”
The Falcons also are believed to have interest in Trevathan, who is expected to land a multiyear deal in the neighborhood of $7 million per year.
He is a three-down player with great range as a run defender, and he has excellent coverage skills for the position.
A sixth-round pick out of Kentucky in 2012, Trevathan led the Broncos in tackles (105) by a wide margin in his second season, when he also had 3 interceptions and 2 sacks, starting all 16 games.
Three separate left knee injuries in 2014 limited the 6-foot-1, 240-pounder to just three games, including one start.
Upgrading at inside linebacker is a major focus of the Bears' off-season.
Their two 2015 starters, unrestricted free agent Shea McClellin and Christian Jones, were unremarkable, combining for just 4 tackles for negative yardage and 1 take-away.
Patriots defensive lineman Akiem Hicks is another player who has been linked to the Bears since the negotiating period began.
The 6-foot-5, 324-pound five-year veteran defensive lineman was originally the Saints' third-round draft choice out of the University of Regina (Saskatchewan) when Bears general manager Ryan Pace was in the New Orleans personnel department.
Hicks started 33 games for the Saints but as part of their defensive housecleaning was traded to the Patriots last Sept. 30 for tight end Michael Hoomanawanui.