Bears’ Danny Trevathan ‘always dreamed’ of LB-friendly defense

Danny Trevathan bought a house near Halas Hall. He wants his teammates to visit.

The Bears inside linebacker learned in Denver that Super Bowl teams are constructed both on the field and around the dinner table.

“Build that family atmosphere,” he said after Wednesday’s OTA practice. “At the same time when we’re out here, we’re all working toward that one common goal — and that’s to be great and to win a championship.

“You have to be hungry. It’s hard to put together great days but great teams do it: you come in with that chip on your shoulder every day.”

That includes Trevathan himself — even after winning a Super Bowl and signing a four-year, $24.5 million contract.

“He’s got a real edge to him, per se,” inside linebackers coach Glenn Pires said. “The thing about him that’s great is that he loves to play football.

“He’s always got that great attitude, that smile. He just loves to go out there and play. That’s what you’re looking for.”

And vice versa.

Trevathan studied Vic Fangio’s 49ers teams from afar, noting how Patrick Willis and NaVorro Bowman compiled 10 Pro Bowl appearances, in part, with their coordinator’s help.

“I always dreamed of being in a linebacker-friendly defense,” he said.

He got his chance this offseason, leaving respected Broncos coordinator Wade Phillips.

“He’s more of a wizard at play calling — he puts it in your hands but at the same time, he knows what he wants to do,” he said of Fangio. “I can’t wait to put together some game plans with him.”

The feeling is mutual after the Bears upgraded to Trevathan and former Colt Jerrell Freeman at inside linebacker this offseason.

“The inside linebacker position and the safety position are the two positions that instincts are very critical,” Fangio said earlier this month. “And it can make up for a lot of tough plays, getting them handled, when the guy’s instinctive enough and recognizes it quick enough. So it’s a very major thing to play that position.”

With Akiem Hicks at defensive end — “He’s a mountain; you can’t move him,” Trevathan said — the Bears hope their three new veteran starters transform their defense. Only four teams had fewer takeaways than the Bears’ 17 last season.

“Attitude reflects leadership, man,” Trevathan said. “And we’ve got some guys who are hungry.”