the circumstances,” he said. “That’s pretty much it. Just someone who is constantly working hard to get better.

“That’s important in any situation. If you’re not trying to get better, you’re not really doing anything. You should always be working to improve something, whether it’s in practice or the weight room or anything.”

That approach was important in last weekend’s rookie minicamp.

Kwiatkoski also was able to flash the instincts the Bears believe will carry over and help him contribute sooner rather than later, even though he will be begin playing behind veteran free-agent additions Danny Trevathan and Jerrell Freeman.

“His No. 1 trait when you’re looking for a linebacker is instincts, because you can’t coach that,” Pace said after the Bears traded up four spots in Round 4 to take Kwiatkoski with the 113th overall pick.

“He just reacts so quick, and he attacks downhill, so he’s making tackles behind the line of scrimmage. I think those instincts transfer to whatever level you’re playing at.”

Bears defensive coordinator Vic Fangio says Kwiatkoski’s natural instincts are especially valuable in the middle of the defense.

“The inside linebacker position and the safety position are the two positions that instincts are very critical,” Fangio said. “It can make up for a lot of tough plays when the guy’s instinctive enough and recognizes it quick enough.”

Though the emphasis in minicamp was more about learning the defense, the favorite part of the weekend for Kwiatkoski was what it would be for any “throwback” player.

“It was good to just put a helmet back on,” he said, smiling.

“It’s been awhile. To actually get out here and play football instead of 40 (-yard dash) training or jumping, it’s a good feeling.”

• The Bears on Monday signed a fourth tryout player from last weekend’s rookie minicamp: Louisiana-Lafayette’s 6-foot-3, 315-pound offensive lineman Donovan Williams.

The Bears also waived center Dan Buchholz, defensive tackle Bruce Gaston, tight end Marcus Lucas and wide receiver Nathan Palmer (Northern Illinois).

On Sunday, the Bears signed three tryout players: wide receiver Kieren Duncan, defensive lineman Kenton Adeyemi and North Dakota State punter Dan LeCompte of Barrington.

• Follow Bob’s Bears reports on Twitter @BobLeGere.