Tremaine Edmunds could become key trade sweetener in Bears’ push for an impact defender
The Chicago Bears could get very creative with how they leverage Tremaine Edmunds in trade conversations.
One of the fascinating developments that came out of the NFL Combine last week regarding the Chicago Bears was the report that the team was allowing linebacker Tremaine Edmunds to seek a trade before out-right releasing him.
Given the $15 million in potential cap savings, moving on from the starting linebacker was widely expected but not many people gave much thought into the possibility of a trade.
It’s a strategic move by the Bears, attempting to get something in return for a player they would have otherwise released, and turns out Edmunds has a solid market given his experience and age.
“One player who has strong trade value and a decent chance to be dealt is Bears linebacker Tremaine Edmunds,” ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported. “The Titans, Raiders and Giants are among teams interested in high-end linebackers, and they like Edmunds, who’s only 27 despite eight years in the league. He was granted permission to seek a trade earlier this week.”
Tremaine Edmunds’ true trade value has nothing to do with potential Day 3 picks
Fowler saying Edmunds has “strong trade value” can mean anything. It’s highly likely the Bears get at best a fourth-round pick for Edmunds and even then I think that’s a steal for Chicago. The likely return is a Day 3 selection or some kind of pick swap. But, what if Edmunds is a deal sweetener?
What I mean by that is, could the Bears leverage Edmunds in trade negotiations, not to get a late draft pick, but instead to land an impact defender? If it’s true Edmunds has a strong trade value, the Bears can use that to lower the expected draft pick price to land an impact player.
Let’s look at the three teams Fowler for example. Starting with the Las Vegas Raiders, the elephant in the room is Maxx Crosby. Could the Bears throw Edmunds into the mix along with a 2026 first and future Day 2 pick to avoid coughing up multiple first-round selections? Maybe? If not, I already spelled out why this situation is something the Bears should back away from.
How about using Edmunds and a third/fourth-round pick to land Kayvon Thibodeaux? That’s one where I would call to see if the Giants are interested in that deal. New York is apparently okay with parting ways with Thibodeaux for the right return and he’s still a young and very talented player.
For the Titans, it’s a different story. The only player worth any trade value on that team now is Jeffery Simmons and he’s not going anywhere. Unless the Bears can offer the homerun swing of Edmunds, DJ Moore, and say a second for Simmons. It’s unlikely and still something neither team would do.
For Bears fans wanting the Maxx Crosby pipedream to stay alive, you better hope the Bears can throw in Edmunds to sweeten the deal and avoid giving up significant draft capital. To me though, the best move is calling up the Giants and seeing if Edmunds and a late Day 2 pick is enough to swing Thibodeaux to Chicago.
Chicago Bears News
Bears Post-Combine 7-Round 2026 Mock Draft: Four trades allow Chicago to stockpile selections and overhaul the roster
Seeing how various trade rumors and prospect meetings from the NFL Combine could impact the Chicago Bears’ draft plans.
