INDIANAPOLIS — The Chicago Bears have allowed linebacker Tremaine Edmunds to explore trade possibilities as they prepare for potential roster moves before the 2024 league year begins. With salary-cap constraints looming, the Bears are expected to cut or trade Edmunds, who is set to enter the final year of his contract.
By releasing Edmunds before the new league year starts in March, the Bears would save approximately $15 million against the cap. If kept on the roster through 2026, Edmunds would incur a $17.4 million cap hit, whereas the dead-cap cost to the Bears from cutting him now would be only $2.4 million. Alternatively, trading Edmunds could yield a mid-round draft pick for the team, providing some return value ahead of the March 11 league year deadline.
Bears’ Cap Strategy and General Manager’s Comments on Edmunds’ Future
General manager Ryan Poles spoke cautiously about the linebacker’s situation during a Tuesday interview. He emphasized the complexity of managing a roster filled with talented, well-compensated players, acknowledging the need for tough decisions to create salary-cap space.
“There’s a couple of guys we’ve got to make decisions on,”
Poles said.
“You know, if that’s trade, release, there’s a lot of different options . . . or few options that we can go down to create some space. But, like I said before, this is a unique situation where we’ve gotten our roster in a position where we have a lot of talented players, a lot of guys getting paid well, and that puts some constraints on the cap. So we’ve got to make some tough decisions.”
— Ryan Poles, General Manager
Edmunds’ On-Field Performance and Linebacker Depth Concerns
Edmunds recently completed his strongest season with the Bears, leading the team in tackles and recording four interceptions—the second-highest total among NFL linebackers—even after missing four games due to a groin injury. During his absence, D’Marco Jackson earned NFC Defensive Player of the Week honors.
However, linebacker depth remains uncertain, with Jackson approaching free agency, T.J. Edwards sidelined by a broken leg, and Noah Sewell recovering from a torn Achilles tendon. Poles acknowledged these unknowns surrounding the linebackers’ health and future performance.
“There’s some unknowns there,” Poles said.
“There’s some projections just in terms of return time. And then you want to know, ‘Is that athlete gonna return to be the same player he was before? Will they go downhill?’”
— Ryan Poles, General Manager
At just 27, approaching 28 in May, Edmunds combines impressive size and athleticism, attributes that are difficult to replace. The Bears face a pressing need to reduce their salary commitments while maintaining competitive roster talent.
Offensive Line Stability and Roster Decisions
In addition to defensive personnel moves, the Bears must address the offensive line, particularly at left tackle, due to Ozzy Trapilo’s expected extended absence caused by a patellar tendon injury. Despite this vacancy, Poles confirmed there will be no position swaps among key players.
Right tackle Darnell Wright will remain at his current spot rather than moving to left tackle, while Joe Thuney will continue at left guard despite having filled in at left tackle during a game against the Rams. Thuney’s strong performance earned him the NFL’s first Protector of the Year Award at left guard.
“We like him at left guard,”
Poles stated clearly.
The free-agent class for tackles is considered weak this off-season, but the situation could improve if the San Francisco 49ers proceed with potentially cutting star tackle Trent Williams. Negotiations for a contract extension to ease Williams’s cap impact are reportedly progressing well, according to 49ers General Manager John Lynch.
“We are ‘on the right track’ with extension talks,”
Lynch commented this week — John Lynch, General Manager, San Francisco 49ers
Upcoming International NFL Games Announced
The NFL has scheduled the Jacksonville Jaguars to serve as the home team for two upcoming London games, one at Wembley Stadium and another at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. The Washington Commanders will also host a game at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium during the same period. Specific dates and opponents for these international contests have yet to be released.
This announcement follows the earlier news that the Detroit Lions will be the home team for an NFL game set to take place in Munich, Germany, highlighting the league’s ongoing efforts to expand its global presence.
