The Chicago Bears could have a fairly easy time completing a trade this offseason, as they navigate tighter salary cap constraints while trying to not only build a roster that is as competitive as they were this past season, but even better next season.
One of the Bears’ planned moves is to offload linebacker Tremaine Edmunds.
Edmunds has been a leader in the locker room and a prime example of being selfless for the greater good of the team, but his cost is also outweighing the value he provides the Bears.
Bears Get Encouraging Update on Potential Tremaine Edmunds Trade
Bears’ Tremaine Edmunds Drawing Trade Interest
Edmunds, who turns 28 in May, has been with the Bears since signing in free agency during the 2023 offseason. He is entering the final year of a four-year, $72 million contract. He has a $17.4 million cap hit in 2026. That is part of why his roster spot is in jeopardy.
The other is a combination of production and durability. Edmunds’ speed and length are assets. However, he has been inconsistent as a playmaker. He also dealt with injuries this past season.
Fortunately for the Bears, there remains interest in the two-time Pro Bowler.
“One player who has strong trade value and a decent chance to be dealt is Bears linebacker Tremaine Edmunds,” ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler wrote on March 1. “The Titans, Raiders and Giants are among teams interested in high-end linebackers, and they like Edmunds, who’s only 27 despite eight years in the league. He was granted permission to seek a trade earlier this week.”
Edmunds moved from middle linebacker to the weakside this past season. He recorded 112 total tackles, 9 pass deflections, 4 interceptions, 1.0 sacks, and 1 fumble recovery during the 2025 regular season.
The stops set a new career-best mark on a per-game basis. That bodes well for Edmunds as he looks to convince teams his groin injury was an aberration.
He has missed two games in his Bears tenure, in 2015, before missing four this past season.
Writing on Wall About Tremaine Edmunds’ Exit
Bears general manager Ryan Poles acknowledged how much more mindful they must be about their cap situation moving forward. The Chicago Tribune’s Brad Biggs reported that Chicago permitted Edmunds’ representatives to seek a trade soon after.
“Still young and was Pro Bowl-caliber player thru first 10 games before minor injury. Finished year healthy. Led D in tackles,” Biggs posted in February, adding that, “if he reaches the open market will be one of the better linebackers available. Will be interesting to see if the Bears can attract an offer.”
Spotrac’s Michael Ginnitti noted the financial implications of the Bears’ potential decision.
“The 2018 1st-round pick by Buffalo just completed his 8th-straight season with 100+ tackles, while also intercepting 4 passes in 2025,” Ginnitti wrote in January. “Edmunds has certainly done enough to warrant a return in 2026, but teams generally don’t keep off-ball linebackers at higher compensation for too long without resetting the process. It’s possible that’s where Chicago falls this March, freeing up $15M of space in moving on.”
With multiple teams potentially in on Edmunds, the Bears should have little trouble extracting value from the veteran.
