It didn’t take a genius to know the Chicago Bears really wanted Trevis Gipson. When a team willingly makes a trade with a division rival, that is a surefire sign they covet a player. This is what happened when the Bears gave up their 4th round pick in 2020 to secure the 155th pick from the Minnesota Vikings, allowing them to draft the Tulsa pass rusher as much-needed depth behind Khalil Mack and Robert Quinn.
Gipson was sort of a nondescript name going into the 2019 season. That changed when he delivered 8.5 sacks. This despite playing in a defense that didn’t exactly cater to his talents. He then followed that up with a dominant week at the Senior Bowl. Draft experts saw a player who was clearly ascending and had a chance to outplay his late round status if he honed his craft.
One person who Gipson gives a lot of credit for his progress to is Von Miller. He attended the star Denver Broncos pass rusher’s Summit for young, aspiring players. There he learned a ton about the art of rushing the quarterback. Getting to learn from him was a great honor. Now it appears another is prepared to take up that responsibility. Gipson revealed on Bears All Access that Mack contacted him after the draft, offering any help he needed.
“Khalil Mack hit me up. Asked me if I needed anything and that he was there for me. Little stuff like that. Getting a feel for everybody.”
Khalil Mack remains an understated leader for the Bears
When most people discuss leaders on the Bears defense, most immediately look to guys like Akiem Hicks, Danny Trevathan, and Eddie Jackson. That’s not a surprise. All three were there when the foundation of this newest version of the Monsters of the Midway was born. Mack’s arrival in 2018 merely pushed it into overdrive. Nobody expected him to suddenly take over as the voice in the locker room.
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Given his personality, the man doesn’t come across as the guy who gives rousing speeches. However, this interaction with Gipson is a reminder that leadership comes in many different forms. Mack was under no obligation to contact the rookie, but he did. A sign that he is a great teammate and setting the right example. Doing whatever is necessary to make the Bears a better football team.