Bears Release Tremaine Edmunds

The release of Tremaine Edmunds frees up $15 million in cap space for the Bears, as he was entering the final year of a four-year, $72 million contract. This move was anticipated, as the team had previously granted him permission to seek a trade. His contract carried a $17.9 million cap hit for the upcoming season. Edmunds was a productive player for Chicago, leading the team with 112 tackles and recording four interceptions last season, despite missing four games with a groin injury. However, his performance metrics suggest he was stronger in run defense than in pass coverage or as a pass-rusher, where he was graded as below the median by Pro Football Focus. The Bears will now look to their existing roster for players to step up at linebacker. T.J. Edwards remains a key veteran in the group, and third-year pro Noah Sewell, who started nine games last season, could see an expanded role. D'Marco Jackson, who also started five games due to injuries, provides additional depth. A potential long-term replacement could be 2025 fourth-round pick Ruben Hyppolite II out of Maryland. However, he was considered a raw prospect and only played 31 defensive snaps in his rookie season, even becoming a healthy scratch late in the year. To fill the void at center left by the recent retirement of Drew Dalman, the Bears acquired Garrett Bradbury from the Patriots. Bradbury started all 21 games for New England last season, including their Super Bowl appearance. Bradbury played 1,334 snaps last season, allowing only two sacks and four QB hits. However, his overall performance was rated 30th out of 40 qualifying centers by Pro Football Focus during the regular season, and he struggled in the Super Bowl, allowing six pressures. The trade for Bradbury will cost the Bears a 2027 fifth-round draft pick. He is in the final year of a two-year, $9.5 million contract he signed with the Patriots.