While most people talk about the Chicago Bears’ needs at quarterback or secondary, linebacker help is an important need not talked about.

In two weeks, the New England Patriots and the Atlanta Falcons battle for the Super Bowl. The regular season will then be officially under way. For the Chicago Bears, the offseason began weeks (or perhaps months) ago.

Fans and “experts” alike spend these days speculating on the Bears’ needs. Most talk about quarterback, offensive line, or secondary. There is a unit that they don’t talk about much.

They have a big need at linebacker.

The Bears had what many thought was a pretty good unit after they signed Danny Trevathan and Jerrell Freeman through free agency, and then drafted Leonard Floyd. Add in Pernell McPhee and that is a darned good starting lineup of linebackers.

Then the injuries hit.

Floyd missed four games with a calf injury and concussion troubles. McPhee missed seven games with knee trouble. Freeman escaped injury, but he missed four games because of PED-use suspension.

The most severe injury came to Trevathan.

Trevathan suffered a ruptured patella tendon. The Bears keep hope up about a full recovery, saying he could be ready by the start of training camp.

Football expert Walter Cherepinsky (Walterfootball,com) wrote about the seriousness of the injury.

“Torn patellar tendons are nearly impossible to come back from. Only two players that we know of in league history have enjoyed quality seasons following a torn patellar tendon: Robert Brooks and Jimmy Graham, and the former completely fell off following his one strong NFL campaign. It’s a brutal injury, so it’s likely that Trevathan could be sidelined all of 2017, and he may never be the same ever again.”

“Season-ending knee injuries are nothing new in football; more commonly, ligament damage is the culprit, particularly involving the ACL,” ESPN’s Stephania Bell wrote on ESPN.com. “Patellar tendon injuries are less frequent, and in many ways, they are more challenging to overcome when it comes to returning to an elite level of play.”

The Bears targeted Trevathan to lead the defense. In addition to being the signal caller, the Bears needed him as a leader in the locker room. He had a very good season before the injury occurred in the fourth quarter of the November 27th game against the Tennessee Titans.

Now there is no real timetable for his return, and even when he gets back, will his game return as well?

While everyone is clamoring for a quarterback or a cornerback, I feel the Chicago Bears need to find a replacement for Danny Trevathan. Yes, they have those other holes, but we can’t underestimate the graveness of his injury.