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Jack Del Rio ‘excited’ about ‘under the radar’ Kevin Pierre-Louis

By Jacob Camenker

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - DECEMBER 29: Kevin Pierre-Louis #57 of the Chicago Bears carries the ball after an intercepting a pass by the Minnesota Vikings during the first quarter of the game at U.S. Bank Stadium on December 29, 2019 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - DECEMBER 29: Kevin Pierre-Louis #57 of the Chicago Bears carries the ball after an intercepting a pass by the Minnesota Vikings during the first quarter of the game at U.S. Bank Stadium on December 29, 2019 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /
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Jack Del Rio is evidently a fan of Redskins linebacker Kevin Pierre-Louis.

The Washington Redskins focused on improving their linebacker corps this offseason. With the team switching to a 4-3 defense under Jack Del Rio, the team needed to add competition and depth to the position. And, of course, they needed to add some players that fit the Mike, Will, and Sam linebacker positions in the defense.

The ‘Skins opted to add a handful of players to the fold. They signed veteran Thomas Davis to give the squad an experienced linebacker with eight years of experience in Ron Rivera’s defense in Carolina. They also selected Khaleke Hudson in the fifth round of the 2020 NFL Draft. Hudson played all over the defense at Michigan, but he figures to be a SAM linebacker and special teams player at the next level.

The team also added Kevin Pierre-Louis to the fold. The former fourth-round pick of the Seattle Seahawks in 2013 has mostly been a special teams ace throughout his career. But after finding success as a starter late in the season with the Chicago Bears, Del Rio is high on the 28-year-old’s potential.

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“He is flying under the radar, no one really talks about him,” Del Rio said, per Zach Selby of Redskins.com. “We are excited about letting him go and seeing what he can do.”

Last season, Pierre Louis played in 14 games for the Bears and racked up 37 tackles, three pass defenses, and an interception. These stats were solid especially considering that Pierre-Louis saw most of his defensive action in the final four games of the regular season; he played just 26 defensive snaps in the first three quarters of the year.

Pierre-Louis is unproven as a starter. But he’s still young enough to make the leap and emerge as a contributor for the Redskins. It will be interesting to see exactly where he slots in for the Redskins, but he should have a chance to challenge for one of the starting spots. And even if he doesn’t earn one, he should be a top backup on gameday who makes an impact on special teams.

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While other players may draw more attention than Pierre-Louis, don’t sleep on the potential for him to make an impact in 2020. He has a good skill set and a strong work ethic that college teammate Luke Kuechly has vouched for in the past. All he needs is an opportunity to fight for a starting job and he could be ready to break out.

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