The Chicago Bears gave veteran linebacker Tremaine Edmunds’ representatives permission to seek out a trade, heading into an offseason that figures to see a healthy amount of turnover at multiple positions on the roster.
Edmunds might not be the only linebacker out the door this offseason, either.
That makes the Bears’ contact with one prospect in particular stand out amid their clear need for an infusion of youth, as well as playmaking and healthy bodies.
Bears Could Replace Tremaine Edmunds With Award-Winning Playmaker
Bears Meet With Jacob Rodriguez for Second Time
The Chicago Tribune’s Brad Biggs reported on Wednesday that the Bears gave Edmunds’ camp permission to seek a trade. Later in the day, Texas Tech linebacker and multi-award-winning linebacker Jacob Rodriguez revealed he met with Bears brass at the 2026 NFL Combine.
According to Rodriguez, it was his second contact with the Bears.
“I’ve had a chance to talk to him. I talked to him at the Senior Bowl, I talked to him here,” Rodriguez told reporters on February 25.
“They were great. I think a lot of their core pillars as a team align with everything that I believe in as well, and I’ve had really good conversations with them and hope things continue to go well in the future.”
Rodriguez is Pro Football Focus’ LB7, which could land him in Bears territory.
PFF projected Rodriguez to the Buffalo Bills with the 91st overall pick, two selections after they projected the Bears to select Alabama’s Deonate Lawson.
Jacob Rodriguez Projected to Be Long-Term Starter
Rodriguez cleaned up in 2025, earning Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year, the Bronko Nagurski Award, the Chuck Bednarik Award, the Dick Butkus Award, the Vince Lombardi Award, and he was a Consensus All-American.
“Rodriguez arrived in college as an offensive “athlete” and leaves Texas Tech as a bigger-than-life, stat-stuffing linebacker. He’s uniquely productive, with elite tackle, interception and forced fumble production. He’ll occasionally bounce out of a run fit when chasing action, but he has the burst to race back inside and finish,” NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein wrote in his profile.
“Slippery working off blocks and navigating combo climbers. His lateral pursuit leaves the station on time and with a fast take-off. Rodriguez displays ballhawking instincts and outstanding hands but busted coverages were part of the package in 2025. His unbridled urgency and “make every play” mindset can inflate missed tackle totals, but the production should outweigh the occasional headaches. He projects as a long-term starting inside linebacker.”
Whether or not that fit is with the Bears remains to be seen.
Tremaine Edmunds Gets Vote of Confidence on Way Out
Despite being a polarizing player among fans, Edmunds offers plenty as he hits the trade block (and perhaps eventually, free agency) this offseason.
Edmunds, a two-time Pro Bowler with the Bills, signed with the Bears in free agency in 2023.
“He’s under contract for the ‘26 season at $15M. Still young and was Pro Bowl-caliber player thru first 10 games before minor injury. Finished year healthy. Led D in tackles,” Biggs reported in a post on X on February 25.
“Edmunds is 28 in May and 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.”
If Edmunds indeed departs this offseason, the Bears might be wise to replace him with Rodriguez.