The last time the Chicago Bears had T.J. Edwards and Tremaine Edmunds on the field together before Week 16 against the Green Bay Packers was in Week 9 against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Fittingly, the Bears won both games.
This season has been unlike either of Edmunds and Edwards’ first two together with the Bears, both arriving in free agency during the 2023 offseason. Reunited on the gridiron, and in resounding fashion, the fearsome twosome spoke candidly after their victory.
T.J. Edwards, Tremaine Edmunds React After Bears Win
Bears’ Tremaine Edmunds: Return to Field ‘Means a Lot’
After playing in all but two games together over their first two seasons together, both in 2023, Edmunds and Edwards have been on the field at the same time in six games for the Bears this season, including their Week 16 win over the Packers.
Edmunds made his return from a stint on injured reserve due to a strained groin.
It marks the longest absence of his career, which began as a 16th overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft by the Buffalo Bills.
“Anytime you can contribute, get out there with the guys, man, and just do whatever you can to help the team win, it means a lot,” Edmunds told Clocker Sports after the win over the Packers. “It feels good. So, I think it was just more so being calm. Understanding that it’s a fourth-quarter–well, obviously, a five-quarter game in this instance. But we gotta play until there’s no more time left on the clock. But definitely felt good to get back out there.”
As for snapping his drought of playing alongside his runningmate, Edmunds was happy.
“It’s been a while, man. So, it felt good,” Edmunds told Clocker Sports of playing alongside Edwards again. “We just gotta continue to build off of it, continue to keep building on that chemistry, and getting back on the same page. But it definitely felt good to be back out there with my guy.”
T.J. Edwards Navigating ‘Interesting Year’
Likewise, Edwards told Clocker Sports, “We were talking about that, man. We played so many snaps over the past couple years. And then, kind of going this year, where it’s like, I’ve been out, and he’s been out. But no, it’s right back to where we left off. I think as a linebacker group, as a whole, we have really good chemistry in our room. And no matter who’s down, we don’t miss a beat. But it’s really good to get him back for sure.”
Edwards has battled injuries himself this season.
Notably, it comes after four straight seasons of full regular-season slates and, even more pertinent to the Bears, after he inked a two-year, $20 million extension this past offseason.
“It’s been an interesting year for me, for sure. Something I’m not really used to, but it all happens for a reason, man. Perfect timing. And just good to get back out there. And, obviously, I’ve been through a lot this year. But I just feel like, as a team, we’ve never lost that belief, ever. And it showed tonight, man, for sure.”
That it did.
‘Big’ Win Over Packers ‘Awesome’
The Bears faced infinitesimal odds of winning the game in the fourth quarter of the contest, but managed to pull it out, avenging their Week 14 loss to Green Bay.
“It was a big win,” Edmunds said. “Against a divisional opponent. It’s real big, just being able to put our head down, to keep chopping, even when things wasn’t going our way, nobody finished, nobody turning to head, and was able to get the dub.”
The gravity was not lost on Edwards, either.
“Obviously, I think every game is a must-win game, and had to get this one done,” Edwards said. “I feel like, no matter how the game was looking, no matter how it was looking, we always had belief that we were going to get it done. So, it was awesome.”
The Bears will look to keep the good vibes going in Week 17 on the road against the San Francisco 49ers and close out the regular season at home against the Detroit Lions.
The Bears have already secured a playoff berth for the first time since 2020.