New Wrinkle Revealed In The Surprising Exit Of Trevis Gipson

Trevis Gipson didn’t have the year anybody expected in 2022. After posting seven sacks the year before, many felt he could duplicate that success in a defense that seemed to fit him better. Alas, it didn’t work out. Gipson managed only three sacks all year. Two of them came in the second week of the season. That didn’t exactly leave his new coaching staff with a great first impression. It explains why GM Ryan Poles and head coach Matt Eberflus had no issues waiving the edge rusher on Tuesday.

It was indeed a shock for many Bears fans. Gipson had an outstanding preseason, having one of the highest pressure rates in the league. That wasn’t enough. Reports surfaced Gipson was granted permission to seek a trade elsewhere. It was a glaring sign the man was on his way out. While the Bears did get some interest, things didn’t come together. So they took the direct route and put Gipson on waivers. It’s yet another domino to fall in the rapid erasing of Ryan Pace’s legacy in Chicago.

Here’s where it gets interesting. Adam Hoge of CHGO revealed quite a nugget about the situation.

“We knew a hard cut was going to be made on the defensive line and Gipson ended up as the odd man out. My understanding is that Gipson never requested a trade, but the Bears gave his camp permission to seek one because they were prepared to move on. Gipson still has talent and could land in a favorable position elsewhere. It will be interesting to see if he is claimed on waivers.”

Trevis Gipson didn’t push for the exit.

It was always the Bears. Nobody can say who the primary person was to insist on this move. Maybe Eberflus didn’t think he was a good fit. Maybe Poles felt he wasn’t worth the money he was making. Whatever the case, the team gave Gipson a chance to find a team he may wish to join. Reports are the Bears engaged in conversations with a few such teams, but the deal never quite crossed the finish line. Some speculate it was because Gipson wasn’t willing to take a pay cut.

After making this move, the Bears also waived the guy everybody thought beat him out for the roster spot, Terrell Lewis. Shortly after, they claimed defensive end Khalid Kareem off waivers. He had impressed this preseason with the Indianapolis Colts. Chicago had joint practices with them as well. They felt he might be a better fit. No news has surfaced yet on if Trevis Gipson was claimed. It will be interesting to see where he lands. For better or worse, the Bears are moving on.