CHICAGO, IL.– In a season that’s been filled with injuries and disappointment for the Chicago Bears, pass rusher Trevis Gipson is a player that has continued to fly under the radar. A 2020 fifth-round pick, Gipson saw limited action as a rookie before entering training camp as the primary backup to starting outside linebacker duo Khalil Mack and Robert Quinn.
Mack’s foot injury, which cost him the season, gave Gipson an opportunity to step up and gain valuable experience. When the Bears drafted Gipson, he was deemed to be “very raw but had all the tools needed to be an effective pass rusher.” Much of the 2021 offseason would be spent with Gipson continuing to add strength to his frame, with hopes of making an impact in 2021.
Through eight starts and 15 total games, Gipson has 6.5 sacks, 35 tackles, six tackles for loss, seven QB hits, and three forced fumbles. When the Bears drafted Gipson, all they saw was potential and in 2021, much of Gipson’s rise has been attributed to seeing a boost in confidence. As a rookie, Gipson was all about learning to get acclimated to the NFL. This season, the challenge for Gipson was being able to put it all together while the Bears remained patient.
“You know, it only continues to grow,” said Gipson via the Bears official YouTube channel. “I’ve left some opportunities out there this season, and I know what I have to work on this upcoming offseason but as far as my opportunities and confidence, it goes hand to hand. When I do miss opportunities, it might not go up a little bit but when I do make those big chances and those big plays, it skyrockets more than it stays flat.”
As the Bears enter a period of transition where the defense will need to be retooled, Chicago will need to identify some building blocks and Gipson’s 2021 season should solidify him as a reliable building block who can become a valuable starter down the road.