A Year In Review: Bruce Irvin

A detailed review of Oakland Raiders linebacker Bruce Irvin in 2016. From his stats to his game-wrecking pass rushes and forces fumbles, week in and week out.

When the Seahawks opted not pick up the fifth-year option on Bruce Irvin’s rookie contract, he was poised to enter free-agency. On March 10, 2016, Irvin signed with the Oakland Raiders on a four-year deal worth $37 million.

After spending the first four seasons of his career in Seattle, Irvin was looking to make a bigger name for himself elsewhere. Being a cog in a stacked defense for the Seahawks was something Irvin was not always ecstatic about, because his pass-rushing abilities were not on full display, nor was his jaw-dropping athleticism.

Irvin immediately made a name himself with Raider Nation, self-proclaiming himself as “Baby Reggie” due to his proactive recruiting of other potential free agents. Irvin, only officially on the team for a matter of days, got on the phone with Donald Penn to try to get him to re-sign with the Raiders. He also was in contact with Eric Weddle, attempting to convince him and his beard to take a trip up north from San Diego.

On the field, Irvin solidified himself as a fan favorite. He recorded a career high 57 tackles, a career high 6 forced fumbles, and he also picked up 7 sacks. Irvin was the perfect bookend to Khalil Mack, as the two pass-rushers combined for 18 out of the teams 26 sacks — 69 percent.

Let’s take a closer look at Irvin’s week by week performance.