Bears HC is already raving about one new starter

Chicago Bears head coach Matt Eberflus is getting his first look many of the team’s new additions out at OTAs. Eberflus, who runs a tight ship in the offseason, is already impressed with one of Chicago’s featured pieces signed in free agency. Tremaine Edmunds brings a phenomenal skillset to the Bears linebackers room, but he […]

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Nov 13, 2022; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears head coach Matt Eberflus during warmups before the game against the Detroit Lions at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-USA TODAY Sports

Chicago Bears head coach Matt Eberflus is getting his first look many of the team’s new additions out at OTAs. Eberflus, who runs a tight ship in the offseason, is already impressed with one of Chicago’s featured pieces signed in free agency.

Tremaine Edmunds brings a phenomenal skillset to the Bears linebackers room, but he also adds leadership to one of football’s youngest rosters. After all, that’s why the Bears paid him the big bucks. It was a four-year deal worth $72 million to be exact.

Edmunds starred in the middle of the Buffalo Bills’ defense for his first five seasons in the NFL. He has recorded at least 102 tackles in each season en route to two trips to the Pro Bowl. But Edmunds now takes on a new challenge with a different supporting cast than the one he had in Buffalo.

Although there will inevitably be an adjustment period as he stacks repetitions with his new teammates, Eberflus has noticed one major characteristic that should help the entire defense in its transition.

“Just leadership,” Eberflus said on what impresses him most about Edmunds. “He really takes command in the defensive room, and he gives great suggestions. And he's very smart. And obviously he has the size and the range and the speed and all those things that he has physically, but I would just say the leadership.”

Leadership is exactly what the Bears need on the defensive side of the ball. Edmunds will continue to be the tackling machine he's been over the course of his career. But if he’s able to contribute in the film room and lend a helping hand to younger players at the same position (Jack Sanborn and Noah Sewell), he will be worth his weight in gold for Eberflus and the Bears.