Linebacker just shot up the list of needs for the Bears after latest Tremaine Edmunds news and there’s an obvious path to fix it
The Chicago Bears are now in the market for at least one starting-caliber linebacker.
The Chicago Bears finally made the first big decision of the offseason after giving starting linebacker Tremaine Edmunds permission to seek a trade at the NFL Scouting Combine.
The eventual parting of ways with Edmunds was widely expected and one of the tough decisions general manager Ryan Poles discussed with the media on Tuesday. Even if the Bears don’t find a trade partner, Edmunds will be out-right released, saving the team $15 million in cap space.
Moving on from Tremaine Edmunds makes linebacker a much larger need for Chicago
The linebacker position now looks bleak for the Bears going into 2026. Last week the team already released Amen Ogbongbemiga and now the team is looking to part ways with Edmunds. Not to mention the fact that T.J. Edwards and Noah Sewell are both coming off season-ending injuries.
It’s clear the Bears need to add at least one starting-caliber player to the room to replace Edmunds and add more depth in case other injuries occur, like they did last season.
You don’t make rash moves in this league without a replacement plan in place beforehand. For the Bears, the front office now enters free agency on the hunt for Edmunds’ replacement, someone who can lead the position throughout the offseason and pair with Edwards next season.
Bears should look to replace Tremaine Edmunds in free agency, but shouldn’t stop adding at LB
Ideally, you’d want someone with familiarity in Dennis Allen’s scheme. The first name that comes to mind is D’Marco Jackson, who started four games for the Bears last season and someone the Bears could look to re-sign at a decent value. But, the team should explore other options as well. Here’s some other free agent targets the Bears could look to bring in off the open market.
- Demario Davis
- Kaden Elliss
- Pete Werner (Trade)
- Quay Walker
- Leo Chenal
- Nakobe Dean
The top three names on that list are the ones to watch as all three players have history playing for Allen and are capable of being leaders at the position. It’d be much harder for the Bears to find a starting-caliber linebacker in the draft, so it’s highly likely the Bears use the cap savings from Edmunds release to land a veteran free agent to take over his role.
But, as previously mentioned, the Bears shouldn’t stop there and should also look to draft a linebacker with one of their draft picks. Names at come to mind include Texas Tech’s Jacob Rodriguez, Pittsburgh’s Kyle Louis, and even a first-round option in Georgia’s CJ Allen.
How the Bears plan to address this position this offseason will be important to watch but it’s clear this team will need a new leader and more speed at the second level in 2026.
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