The Bears retained an integral part of their defense Friday when they re-signed inside linebacker Danny Trevathan to a three-year contract through 2022.

The eight-year NFL veteran was due to become an unrestricted free agent Wednesday when the new league year is scheduled to begin.

"Bringing Danny back is a key re-signing for us," said general manager Ryan Pace. "Not only is he a great inside linebacker and great leader on our team, he is a big part of our culture. We are proud to have him under contract in Chicago for three more seasons."

Trevathan has been a productive and highly-respected team leader since originally signing with the Bears in 2016. He arrived after helping lead the Broncos to a Super Bowl championship the previous season.

Trevathan is excited to remain with the Bears and is more determined than ever to lead the team to a championship.

"You never know what's going to happen in free agency," Trevathan said, "but luckily here Mr. [George] McCaskey, Ryan Pace and those guys, they brought to me a good offer and they took good care of me. I feel like it's something special when you have people having your back. It makes you want to work hard for the common goal, which is to get to the Super Bowl. My work here is not done."

In four years in Chicago, Trevathan has appeared in 46 games with 45 starts and recorded 327 tackles, six sacks, three interceptions, 15 tackles-for-loss, 16 pass breakups, three forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries.

Trevathan, who will turn 30 on March 24, was named a Pro Bowl alternate in 2018 when he helped the Bears win the NFC North title with a 12-4 record. Starting all 16 games, he compiled 102 tackles, two sacks, two interceptions and a career-high eight tackles-for-loss.

Trevathan was named NFC defensive player of the week for his performance in a 24-17 Monday night win over the Seahawks at Soldier Field. He registered a team-high eight tackles and two sacks of Russell Wilson, forcing a fumble on one of the sacks that was recovered by teammate Leonard Floyd.

Last year Trevathan was leading the Bears with 70 tackles when he sustained a season-ending elbow injury in a Week 10 win over the Lions at Soldier Field.

Even as he enters his ninth NFL season, Trevathan still carries a sizable chip on his shoulder from falling to the 188th pick in the sixth round of the 2012 draft.

"I know what it takes," Trevathan said. "I fought my way up from the bottom, sixth round, 188 [overall], I'll never forget it. But it's fun. I enjoy it. It's a blessing. When I look at the walls here, some of the greats, I want my name mentioned with them. I want to be remembered as somebody who works hard, cares for football, found something to be great at and worked hard with his brothers and the organization that took care of us. I also want to hold that trophy up."

Trevathan is eager to help the Bears rebound from their disappointing 2019 season.

"I just want to be the best leader, the best person, the best No. 59, the best Danny Trevathan I can be and push guys to be the best they can be," he said. "I think that's what we have here, guys that work hard and care. They're not just coming here just to come here. We're working toward a common goal.

"We started a great thing here. We've got a lot of things going. It's something you enjoy and you get the most out of each day. I'm looking forward to continuing to work hard and bringing success back here."

The re-signing of Trevathan leaves the Bears with 15 players who are due to become unrestricted free agents: Quarterback Chase Daniel; tackles T.J. Clemmings and Cornelius Lucas; guard Ted Larsen; tight end Bradley Sowell; defensive tackle Nick Williams; defensive end Brent Urban; outside linebacker Aaron Lynch; inside linebackers Nick Kwiatkoski and Kevin Pierre-Louis; cornerback Ha Ha Clinton-Dix; safeties Sherrick McManis, Deon Bush and DeAndre Houston-Carson; and long-snapper Patrick Scales.