The Chicago Bears made a major announcement at the NFL Scouting Combine with the news that starting linebacker Tremaine Edmunds has been given permission to seek a trade.

Bears GM Ryan Poles spoke with the media on Tuesday at the NFL Combine and broke down some of the tough decisions the team will have to make over the next few weeks. It’s been widely assumed that the Bears would move on from Edmunds prior to the start of free agency.

But, not many expected the Bears to go in this direction and it’s a smart move. Poles added that multiple teams have expressed interest in trading for various players in Chicago and getting something in return for Edmunds is in the team’s best interest, plus the cap savings remain the same whether Edmunds is traded or released.

With Edmunds now officially on the trade block, I fielded some trade offers from around the league to see what kind of interest he could generate.

Which teams would be interested in trading for Tremaine Edmunds?

1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Buccaneers send 2026 third-round pick (No. 77) to the Bears for Tremaine Edmunds

Tremaine Edmunds is the immediate impact linebacker the Buccaneers need this offseason. He can do it all, which is the exact kind of player Todd Bowles needs on the second level of his defense. He’s only 27, as well, which makes an extension a viable option to help reduce what would be a $15 million cap hit for the Bucs after adding his base salary, roster bonus, and workout bonus.

For a proven veteran at a position of need, the Bucs’ third-round pick at No. 77 overall is well worth the price and it allows the Bucs to fully focus on EDGE in the first-round. – Evan Winter

2. Minnesota Vikings

Vikings send 2026 fifth-round pick (No. 161) to the Bears for Tremaine Edmunds and 2026 seventh-round pick (No. 241)

Linebacker is a fascinating position. While it isn’t a premium one, the Vikings love to have talent at that level of the defense. Blake Cashman has been the catalyst for their success on defense, and having Eric Wilson emerge with a career year was huge for Brian Flores’ unit.

Edmunds is entering his age 28 season after being a first-round pick of the Buffalo Bills in 2018 and playing the last three years with the Chicago Bears. He will carry a salary cap hit of $15 million, but none of it is guaranteed. The Vikings will likely be able to strike a deal with Edmunds to either lower his cap hit while giving him guaranteed money or have the Bears eat a portion of the contract to facilitate a trade. Either way, the intriguing element of Edmunds’ size and athleticism within Flores’ defense is a fascinating one. – Tyler Forness

3. Pittsburgh Steelers

Steelers send 2026 fifth-round pick (No. 159) to the Bears for Tremaine Edmunds

If you look at the Steelers LB corps on paper, you would probably wonder why in the world they would be interested in adding another LB. The truth, however, is that the unit has underperformed in relation to expectations.

Payton Wilson was demoted to a nickel and dime backer after struggling to stop the run, making way for Malik Harrison to start in base downs for most of the season. Then, with Patrick Queen, the Steelers haven’t exactly gotten their return on investment after making him the highest-paid free agent acquisition in franchise history. There is a reason why his name is being floated as a cut/trade candidate, and it largely comes down to his coverage limitations and struggles as a second level enforcer.

Taking a swing on Edmunds feels right up the Steelers alley. Don’t forget his brother was once a first-round pick for Pittsburgh. – Rob Gregson

4. Dallas Cowboys

Cowboys send 2027 sixth-round pick to the Bears for Tremaine Edmunds

I would love to offer more for Edmunds, but I know the Cowboys are unlikely to give up much considering there’s a possibility the Bears wind up releasing the talented linebacker. Since the Cowboys only have one non-compensatory draft pick between rounds five and six this year, I must turn to 2027 draft capital to make an offer.

The Cowboys are in dire need of linebacker help and it’s all a matter of what new defensive coordinator Christian Parker wants in his LB unit. The Cowboys have shown an increased willingness to make trades involving late-round draft picks for ready-now contributors. The question here is how comfortable are they with a $15 million cap hit. – Mauricio Rodriguez

5. Las Vegas Raiders

Raiders send 2026 fourth-round pick (No. 117), 2026 sixth-round pick (No. 181) to the Bears for Tremaine Edmunds

The Raiders have a ton of picks and a ton of cap space. One of their biggest needs is a linebacker who can play in coverage. They would probably prefer a trade for a player they know is a fit for what they need rather than taking a shot on a guy in the draft with an even greater chance of it not working out. Vegas needs some more guys on defense to help Maxx Crosby out—Edmunds could be one of many they add this year to help get at least a serviceable defense on the field. – Justin Churchill

6. Carolina Panthers

Panthers send 2026 fifth-round pick (No. 161) to the Bears for Tremaine Edmunds

Dan Morgan hasn’t been shy about his desire to land a leader at the linebacker position in free agency and continue to add to the position in the draft. The Panthers used to pride themselves on having great play-making linebackers such as Luke Kuechly, Thomas Davis, Jon Beason, and Shaq Thompson.

Building that position back to its former glory is one of the top priorities for Morgan this offseason. Chicago just put a relatively young and talented player on the market to fill that need and Carolina should pick up the phone to make an offer. – Kole Noble

7. Philadelphia Eagles

Eagles send 2026 fourth-round pick (No. 122) and 2026 fifth-round pick (No. 179) to the Bears for Tremaine Edmunds and 2025 fifth-round pick (No. 163)

The Eagles have a huge decision to make when it comes to linebacker Nakobe Dean, who is set to hit free agency. Rather than creating a multi-year risk given Dean’s injury history by giving him a new deal, would it make more sense for Philly to acquire a veteran LB via trade that has just a year left on his deal? That would be the reality if they made a move for Edmunds.

I believe Edmunds could trio nicely alongside Jihaad Campbell, a first-round pick last year, and Zack Baun, a Pro Bowl caliber player since joining the Eagles defense. Philadelphia has some work to do in order to create cap space to make these types of moves, as well as free agent additions, but I have no doubt their front office will get all of that sorted in the coming weeks. – Adam Holt

Final Verdict

Tampa Bay came in with easily the best offer by handing over a Day 2 pick for Edmunds. Ryan Poles would be doing backflips if he could get a third-round pick for a player he likely would release anyways and it goes to show how desperate the Buccaneers are to find a starting linebacker.

In all seriousness, I doubt the Bears get that kind of return for Edmunds, but you never know. Overall, this exercise shows that multiple teams should be willing to submit an offer for Edmunds and it shows the Bears are making the right move by letting him seek out a trade before releasing him.