On Monday, the Denver Broncos were forced to face the perils of their success. After watching Malik Jackson bolt for Jacksonville and cutting Louis Vasquez and Owen Daniels in an attempt to save salary space, the Broncos look to be losing linebacker Danny Trevathan, too.
According to Mile High Sports Radio’s, Benjamin Allbright, the Chicago Bears are in the process of finishing up a deal with Denver’s middle linebacker.
https://twitter.com/AllbrightNFL/status/707284064336617472
Details of the agreement are yet to be officially released, but they are rumoured to be in the four-year, $28 million range.
Sounds like price tag on LB Danny Trevathan is going to be at or just a little above $7 million per season. That's not a surprise.
— Brad Biggs (@BradBiggs) March 8, 2016
Trevathan, taken 188th overall in the 2012 draft, suited up for 57 total games (regular and post-season) in his four seasons with the Broncos. Various knee issues cost him most of the 2014 season, but the former Kentucky Wildcat played in every other game when healthy.
He was a key cog in Denver’s historic defense.
His movement and coverage ability allowed the Broncos’ lethal pass rush to charge without hesitation, but that doesn’t mean he wasn’t capable of making things happen himself. Trevathan recorded 16 solo and 22 combined tackles in the Broncos’ title run earlier this year.
While Trevathan was key to the Broncos recent success, his individual excellence caught many eyes around the NFL. The Broncos have had to make tough salary cap desicions with Von Miller (franchise tag), Malik Jackson (reportedly signing with the Jacksonville Jaguars), and Louis Vasquez (cut).
The Bears (6-10 in 2015 under former Broncos head coach John Fox) are hoping Trevathan will be able to inject a shot of energy into a lackluster defense. The Bears finished 21st and 23rd respectively in yards and points allowed.