Chicago Bears Training Camp Battles: Defensive End
Reconstructing a new roster and depth chart certainly is not an easy task and with a roster as old as the Bears' were last season, building the new foundation will not happen overnight. All though the Bears have a surplus of cap space next season this Bears lineup has many areas to improve but also many areas where there are hungry players ready to prove their worth.
Arguably the biggest camp battle if Robert Quinn retains his role into 2022 is the opposing defensive end across from him. The two front runners include Trevis Gipson and Al Quadin-Muhammad. Gipson has made a quick jump to becoming a hot name in Halas Hall shining in the past few seasons when his number was called, but Al Quadin-Muhammad does have a familiarity with Eberflus' defense and has the veteran experience over Gipson.
In the Bears' unofficial Pre-Season depth chart, it lists Gipson as the first string with Robert Quinn and Al Quadin Muhammad listed as the second string but there are still weeks left until the regular season.
Despite how the depth chart pans out all three defenders should play a large portion of the team's defensive snaps. Quinn is 32 years old and despite having one of the best seasons of his career in 2021 he was only on the field for approximately 71% of the snaps. Veterans defenders and dynamic pass rushers like Quinn typically see the field primarily on 3rd down situations and obvious passing-down situations.
Reports out of camp have been very favorable to the likes of the Bears' new defense. Muhammad has been rumored to have a strong camp so far as expected with the familiarity coming over from the Colts with Eberflus and defensive coordinator Alan Williams.
Trevis Gipson helped his case in the Bears' first Preseason game having a quick start to the season. Despite not recording a tackle or sack in the stat line, Gipson did have a hit on the quarterback and was disruptive in the running and pass games. If Gipson can keep adding to his 2021, the Bears could have themselves a star in the making.
