Will the Bears Part Ways With a Former Pro Bowl Linebacker This Offseason?
This offseason, the Chicago Bears are facing one of their most critical crossroads in recent years. It is safe to say the team exceeded expectations in Ben Johnson’s first year with the team. Despite the heartbreaking loss to the Rams, there are plenty of positives to build around. After a season that showed real growth and flashes of promise, Chicago must now decide how to build on that foundation without losing momentum. One of the first decisions revolves around linebacker Tremaine Edmunds.
It was seen as a massive deal when Edmunds signed with Chicago in 2023. He was a star with the Buffalo Bills and made the Pro Bowl twice. The hope was that he would transform the defense with his skill and leadership. It came at a much-needed time when the team was trying to establish a new identity. It has not worked out as well as many have hoped, but he has still been an important piece of the team.
The former first-round pick has recorded over 100 tackles in all three seasons with the team. Despite suiting up in 13 games in 2025, this year may have been his most productive season with Chicago. He recorded four interceptions and 112 total tackles. With the Bears, he has recorded a total of 335 tackles, nine interceptions, and two sacks in 45 regular-season games. However, the impressive numbers have not led to team success.
It is no secret that the Bears' defense struggled this year. They allowed the fourth-most yards per game and the 10th-most points per game. The only bright side of the defense was the turnovers. Unfortunately, that may also be the hardest thing to sustain going into next season. Due to the struggle not only this year, but for the past few seasons, it does not appear that anyone has their spot locked up moving forward.
In order to fix the defense and keep the team competitive, Chicago is going to have to be creative. As of now, they are projected to be roughly four million dollars over the cap. There are plenty of ways that teams work around low or even no cap space. In this case, though, the Bears may need to be ready to part ways with some of their players. This is where the issue with Edmunds comes into play.
Chicago can save roughly $15 million if it were to cut Edmunds. It would be surprising if they did not at least consider it. There is certainly an argument that it would be hard to find a quality linebacker for an affordable price. In this situation, the team may need to find two, as it has yet to be seen how much time T.J. Edwards could miss with his fractured fibula. However, with the number of holes on the defense, the cap space can be very tempting.
With limited financial flexibility, every contract on the roster is going to be closely examined. Chicago must weigh the value of veteran production against the opportunity to redistribute money to fill multiple needs across the defense. Cutting a high-priced player could open the door to addressing depth issues that plagued the team throughout the season. While moving on from proven talent is never an easy choice, the reality of the salary cap often forces uncomfortable decisions. Ultimately, how the Bears manage their cap space this offseason will say a lot about their drive to contend.
