The Chicago Bears continue to reshape their roster ahead of the 2026 offseason. That is even after their trade sending wide receiver DJ Moore to the Buffalo Bills. With that in the rearview, the Bears turned their attention to linebacker Tremaine Edmunds.
Edmunds is a two-time Pro Bowler. He has been a focal point as the Bears work to refine their group for next season and beyond.
After weeks of speculation, the situation has finally been resolved.
Bears Cut Ties With Pro Bowl Playmaker Before Offseason
Tremaine Edmunds Exits Bears After 3 Seasons
The Bears signed Edmunds in free agency during the 2023 offseason. They revamped their linebacking corps with the former first-round pick and T.J. Edwards.
Heading into the 2026 offseason, the duo is no more.
“Bears are releasing former Pro-Bowl LB Tremaine Edmunds, per sources,” ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported in a post on X on March 5. “Edmunds has been a full-time starter in each of his eight NFL seasons, and he now will become a free agent with 900 tackles on his resume.”
This had been bandied about for some time. Speculation began during the season. That was before Bears general manager Ryan Poles left the door open for moves such as this or Moore’s trade to Buffalo at the combine.
Edmunds could land on his feet in short order. There was rumored interest in him from the Las Vegas Raiders and New York Giants. Evidently, not enough to warrant a trade, though.
There is also a significant financial element at play.
Bears Clearing Space
“The Bears create $15 million in cap space with the release of Tremaine Edmunds, who they granted permission to last Wednesday to seek a trade,” ESPN’s Courtney Cronin reported in wake of the news.
“Between the trade of DJ Moore, release of Tremaine Edmunds and retirement of Drew Dalman, the Bears have about $44M in new cap space as of this week,” ESPN’s Field Yates posted on X in an encouraging update for fans who may have grown weary of the departures. “Be it addressing C or fortifying the defense, Chicago has spending power.”
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler noted that Edmunds is still 27 years old and will have a strong market coming off a season with “ball production.”
There are surely more fireworks on the way this offseason.
