The Chicago Bears got an eventful performance from linebacker Tremaine Edmunds against the Minnesota Vikings on “Monday Night Football,” but the two-time Pro Bowler knows it means little without a victory to show for it.
His team is 0-1 on the season, and what’s more, the loss came against an NFC North rival. But Edmunds believes the Bears, who were shorthanded in the contest, missing three defensive starters, can turn this loss into a positive for the long run with 16 more games to go.
Bears’ Tremaine Edmunds: ‘Got to Turn Page’ After Loss to Vikings
Tremaine Edmunds Says Bears Will ‘Keep Head Up’ After ‘MNF’ Loss
Edmunds was credited with 7 combined tackles, leading the Bears with 4 assists, and added 1 (key) pass deflection.
“Obviously, it’s tough, you know what I mean. You put a lot into it, [and] I’m just saying, as a team-wise. You want to have those that you walk away with. But it’s a learning moment for the team,” Edmunds told Clocker Sports after the game. “It’s our first time really playing a full game together as coaches and players. So it’s nothing to put our head down. Obviously, it hurts, you know what I mean? It hurts a lot. But next week’s going to be here quick. So, we’ve got to turn the page, get ready for Detroit.”
The Bears will face head coach Ben Johnson’s former Lions team on the road in a Week 2 tilt the former offensive coordinator expects will be emotionally charged. They have a lot to clean up before then, with Edmunds saying there was no one thing that cost them against the Vikings.
“It never comes down to one thing,” Edmunds said. “I think complementary ball is big, you know, what I mean, and that’s just on every phase. You got a opportunity to put a team away – a good football team – you gotta put them away. But it’s a learning point for all of us, man, and nothing to put our head down. Everybody keep their head up and get ready for this upcoming week.”
That bit of leadership is part of why the Bears brought Edmunds in during the 2024 offseason.
It also echoes Johnson, who lamented many of his own decisions in the loss in addition to the inconsistency from his players, and said “pretty much” the same thing Edmunds did.
“You gotta keep your head up, man, and get ready for the next week, because we on a short week with this being Monday night. So, we already a day behind,” Edmunds said of Johnson’s message. “So, we just gotta keep our head up, man, and get our bodies back ready to play.”
T.J. Edwards Among Injured Bears Starters
Edmunds and the Bears entered the night without linebacker T.J. Edwards, who missed his first contest since he signed with Chicago in 2023.
Edmunds acknowledged wanting Edwards on the field, but he praised fill-in Noah Sewell.
“Obviously, want to have my guy out there. But I think Noah did a good job coming in and making plays. I felt his presence out there, felt him flying around,” Edmunds said. “That’s life for the league, you know what I mean? It’s always “next man up,” and I think he did a good job and good execution.”
The Vikings were able to take advantage of the Bears’ LBs in coverage, which was an issue last season with Edmunds and Edwards in the lineup for all 17 games.
Still, having their highly regarded tandem available would have been a boon for the Bears.
The Bears were also without cornerbacks Jaylon Johnson (calf/groin) and Kyler Gordon (hamstring), which could have altered the game, especially late. The good news is that both players went through pre-game workouts before the Bears declared them out.
However, the bad news is that there was no such update about Edwards, who left practice early on August 26 and has yet to return to the daily sessions.