Bears new high-priced linebacker duo have tough Week 3 task
The Chicago Bears went on a spending spree during the offseason and after the 0-2 start it's hard to determine if it was worth opening the wallet. General manager Ryan Poles had two specific high profile signings on defense by landing linebackers Tremaine Edmunds and T.J. Edwards. The Bears first signed Edwards, who was a member […]
The Chicago Bears went on a spending spree during the offseason and after the 0-2 start it's hard to determine if it was worth opening the wallet.
General manager Ryan Poles had two specific high profile signings on defense by landing linebackers Tremaine Edmunds and T.J. Edwards.
The Bears first signed Edwards, who was a member of the Eagles Super Bowl squad, to a three-year, $19.5 million deal. Then gave Edmunds, the former Bills two-time Pro Bowler, a four-year contract worth $72 million just hours later.
That's a combined $91.5 million spend on two inside linebackers on the same signing day. At the time it seemed like the Bears were finally being proactive after the team ranked last in sacks and 31st in rushing yards allowed in 2022. That's not how it seems anymore.
After two weeks, the Bears are tied with the fewest sacks in the league (1) and have allowed the fourth-most total yards per game (383). However, the Bears high-priced linebackers have an opportunity to prove the money was worth it on Sunday.
Edmunds and Edwards will be tasked with lining up against the best offensive duo the league has seen in years in Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes and tight end Travis Kelce.
According to StatMuse, the two have combined for 610 catches, 7,599 yards, and 64 touchdowns in 93 games together. Kelce missed the Chiefs season opener against the Lions, but returned last week with 26 yards and a touchdown against the Jaguars.
There's no question about it, between Mahomes brilliance throwing the ball and Kelce's dominance against coverage downfield, that this is the toughest combination a team must defend in the entire league.
On Sunday, it's up to Edmunds and Edwards to stop them. Edmunds was outstanding against the pass in 2022, posting a 90.0 pass coverage grade while having career bests in completion percentage allowed (68.7), yards allowed (359) and yards per reception (7.8), per Pro Football Focus. However, that number has dropped to 54.7 in 2023.
Edwards had a career-high 78.4 coverage grade in 2022 with the Eagles but the number has fell to 55.5 in 2023, per PFF. While facing off against Mahomes in Super Bowl LVII, Edwards recorded a 72.4 coverage grade but allowed six receptions on eight targets.
The Bears linebacker duo have allowed 17 receptions for 184 yards in the first two games this season. If things don't get figured out by Sunday, it's going to be a long day for the team's top defensive free agent acquisitions. If the two manage to hold the Chiefs offense in check, Poles will look like a genius in Chicago.
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Featured image via: Kim Klement Neitzel-USA TODAY Sports
