The Chicago Bears made a notable splash in last year's free agency period when they signed Tremaine Edmunds to a four-year deal worth $72 million. The two-time Pro Bowler did not meet expectations in 2023 given the lucrative terms of his contract. Edmunds is now tasked with recapturing his previous form while spearheading a potentially excellent Bears defense this season.
Pro Football Focus assigned Edmunds an overall grade of 56.6 for his performance throughout the 2023 campaign. It represented quite the downgrade from the career-best 81.9 grade he posted for the Buffalo Bills in 2022. It was that season-long performance that made Edmunds enticing to Bears general manager Ryan Poles in free agency.
Several aspects of Edmunds' game weren't as effective. As a blitzer or designated pass rusher in 2022, the former Virginia Tech standout totaled 10 pressures and six hurries. Those outputs dropped to four pressures and four hurries in 2023.
Tremaine Edmunds appreciation post.
— Just Another Year Chicago: Bears (@OfficialJAYCHI) April 19, 2024
He gets Eric Washington back in his corner as Chicago’s new DC, and after a huge 2nd half last year, can’t wait for what’s next in ‘24. @maine_savage23 is in for a huge year📈 pic.twitter.com/4c9PJFo99U
It was the pass-coverage aspect of Edmunds' game that suffered the most. PFF assigned him an elite coverage grade of 88.1 in 2022 with opposing quarterbacks seeing a passer rating of just 82.1 when targeting him in coverage. The 26-year-old linebacker allowed 46 receptions with 68.7% of the targets thrown his way leading to completions for just 359 yards and one touchdown.
In 2023, Edmunds' coverage grade plummeted from 88.1 to 58.3 with a QB rating of 103. He was an auto-target in coverage, allowing 58 catches with a 82.9% target-to-completion rate for 611 yards and five touchdowns. Edmunds did record a career-high four interceptions, showcasing better situational awareness on occasion.
Missed tackles were also a slight issue. Edmunds missed 10 tackles in 2022 for a low missed-tackle rate of 7.7%. Edmunds was credited with missing 14 tackles for the Bears in 2023 for an increased missed tackle rate of 11.2%. The Danville, Virginia native recorded 112 total tackles, a personal-most amount since 2020 despite missing two games.
It's worth acknowledging Edmunds dealt with an injury in training camp that limited his practice participation and early-season performance. The numbers are in line with that belief. Edmunds arguably played his best game against the Cleveland Browns in Week 15, scoring his career touchdown off a Joe Flacco interception.
EDMUNDS TO THE HOUSE #ProBowlVote + @maine_savage23 pic.twitter.com/dud2g3Pf9t
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) December 17, 2023
The Bears hired Eric Washington as their new defensive coordinator this offseason. Coach Washington actually spent three seasons (2020-22) coaching Edmunds in Buffalo as a senior defensive assistant. More familiar surroundings should lead to a better showing for Edmunds.
Edmunds appears healthy and rejuvenated heading into the Bears' mid-July training camp period. He possesses every requirement at his disposal to enjoy a more fruitful 2024 season. The onus is on Edmunds to meet expectations throughout this coming campaign.