Anonymous coach unfairly questions Bears' major roster move
It's wild how different the Chicago Bears roster looks heading into 2023. It's a night-and-day difference compared to this time, last year. Sure, there are still questions to answer and holes to fill, but there are far less of either this year than last. And, the team isn't dealing with any drama like it was […]
It's wild how different the Chicago Bears roster looks heading into 2023.
It's a night-and-day difference compared to this time, last year. Sure, there are still questions to answer and holes to fill, but there are far less of either this year than last.
And, the team isn't dealing with any drama like it was with Roquan Smith last offseason.
As we all know, the Bears eventually traded Smith to the Baltimore Ravens before the trade deadline. The Ravens subsequently made Smith the NFL's highest-paid linebacker and that was that.
Fortunately, rookie Jack Sanborn stepped up in Smith's place and played well before going down with an ankle injury. Either way, the Bears knew they had to upgrade the position during the offseason.
And they did just that by signing two-time Pro Bowler, Tremaine Edmunds, who is one of the best off-ball linebackers in the NFL.
But for some coaches, especially one coordinator, the decision to trade Smith still doesn't sit well.
"I can't believe [the Bears] let him out of their building," an NFL coordinator said, via ESPN. "He's a stud."
ESPN's Jeremy Fowler recently released his top-10 off-ball linebacker rankings that are composed via votes from NFL executives, coaches, scouts, and players around the league. Smith came in at No. 2, behind San Francisco 49ers LB Fred Warner.
But guess who came in at No. 3?
Yup. Edmunds.
The above comment is fair to make before March 14. The Bears were still without Edmunds at the time and there was a glaring hole on their roster. But they've since filled it with a player who may not be as good as Smith, but is damn close enough. Honestly, it's splitting hairs between the two when it comes to deciding who is better.
It comes down to preference, ultimately. And if I'm choosing between the two, I'm taking Edmunds because of his range and length (I mean, the dude is 6-foot-5), which is a better fit for Matt Eberflus' defense.
And, the Bears saved a good chunk of cash bringing in Edmunds. In all, it's clear they made the right decision. It's just too bad other coaches can't put it all together.
You can check out Fowler's full column, here.
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Featured image via Matt Marton-USA TODAY Sports
