Chicago Bears linebacker Tremaine Edmunds was the team’s biggest free-agent signing in 2023. GM Ryan Poles cut a big check for the former Buffalo Bills star — four years, $72 million — which created speculation about where Edmunds would line up for the Bears.
The Bears were unwilling to pay a premium contract for an inside linebacker in 2022 — see Roquan Smith. Surely, then, Edmunds will man the weakside role in Matt Eberlus’ defense, right?
Wrong.
Eberflus said at the NFL Owners Meetings Tuesday that Tremaine Edmunds is the Chicago Bears’ starting MIKE, or middle linebacker.
This also means that TJ Edwards, another free-agent addition by the Bears, will be the WILL, or weakside backer. Jack Sanborn is the favorite to be the SAM, or strongside linebacker.
Edmunds in the middle of the Chicago Bears’ linebacker corps will conjure memories of Brian Urlacher. Like Urlacher, Edmunds is an exceptional athlete whose physical makeup (size and length) allows him to wreak havoc against the run and pass.
I’d imagine a team captain designation will be next for Tremaine Edmunds.
Edmunds enjoyed a productive season in 2022 despite playing only 13 games. He totaled 102 tackles, marking his fifth-straight season with over 100 stops. Call it a hunch, but I think a career year could be coming for Tremaine Edmunds in Eberflus’ defense in 2023.
