Grading the Chicago Bears’ signing of LB Tremaine Edmunds

The Chicago Bears made their biggest signing of the 2023 free agency period with the four-year, $72 million deal for Buffalo Bills linebacker Tremaine Edmunds.

It’s the largest four-year contract ever given to an off-ball linebacker in NFL history.

Tremaine Edmunds’ four-year, $72M deal is the league’s biggest four-year contract for an off-ball linebacker. Teams wondered whether an ILB would get paid big dollars in this market but Edmunds only 24, big size/athleticism and Pro Bowl pedigree.

— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) March 13, 2023

Edmunds, 24, will play weakside linebacker, the most important linebacker role in coach Matt Eberflus’ defense. His rare athleticism makes him a perfect fit to be a stat monster over the life of his contract. He’s already been to two Pro Bowls, and if he stays healthy, he could soon find his way to the NFL’s All-Pro team.

LB Tremaine Edmunds to the #Bears…

No.11 on my list of the Top 100 free agents.

High-end traits/tools at 6-foot-5, 250. Downhill acceleration vs. the run game. Speed/length/range in coverage drops.

Another 2nd level defender for Matt Eberflus’ defense.

— Matt Bowen (@MattBowen41) March 13, 2023

Paired with fellow free-agent signing T.J. Edwards, Tremaine Edmunds should quickly become the face of the Chicago Bears defense in 2023.

Edmunds has started all 74 games he’s played in the NFL, totaling 565 tackles, 32 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks and five interceptions over the last five seasons.

Securing second-level of defense made Tremaine Edmunds a priority

The Bears’ run defense surrendered the second-most yards in the NFL last season, making second-level defenders a priority. Tremaine Edmunds was one of the best available, ranking 17th overall on Pro Football Focus’ top 100 free agents.

Is it a lot of money to pay for an off-ball linebacker? Yes, especially after the Bears traded Roquan Smith because they appeared unwilling to pay top dollar for the position. But Edmunds is different, his physical profile is more in line with what Eberflus — and conceivably Poles — wants from the position. He’s also younger than many rookies entering the NFL this year. He can be a multiple-contract player for the Chicago Bears.

The Tremaine Edmunds signing earns a solid A-. Why not a straight A or even A+? It’s a massive contract to pay for a position that perhaps could’ve been filled cheaper in the NFL Draft. With offensive tackle still a pressing need, there’s at least an argument that can be made that this kind of money should’ve been invested on a bookend for Justin Fields.

Still, there’s no doubt Edmunds will wreak havoc for the Chicago Bears in 2023 and beyond, and for a franchise with a proud history of linebackers, Edmunds will fit right in.