As the Buffalo Bills prepare for an offseason of strategic decisions, the spotlight turns to their inside linebacker position. With Shaq Thompson and Matt Milano approaching free agency at 32, and a shift to a 3-4 defensive scheme on the horizon, General Manager Brandon Beane faces a pivotal choice.
While the upcoming draft offers promising linebacker talent, the Bills have more pressing needs at wide receiver and edge rusher. This opens the door for Beane to explore free agency or potential trades to bolster the linebacker corps. Enter Tremaine Edmunds, a former Bills first-round pick, who’s been granted permission by the Chicago Bears to seek a trade.
Edmunds, who left Buffalo in 2022, is entering the final year of his four-year, $72 million contract with the Bears. With no guaranteed money left and a $15 million payday in 2026, his situation is ripe for negotiation.
During his three seasons in Chicago, Edmunds showcased his consistency, recording at least 110 tackles each year and improving his coverage skills with nine interceptions. The prospect of Edmunds reuniting with Buffalo is enticing, but the fit within the new scheme is a critical consideration.
Bills fans remember Edmunds as a dynamic, fast linebacker who thrived in Sean McDermott’s Cover 2 scheme. In Chicago, he adapted to various defensive systems, including Dennis Allen's multiple-front 4-3, proving his versatility. His ability to handle the demands of a 3-4 scheme is promising, especially considering past interest from 3-4 teams like the Pittsburgh Steelers.
At 28, Edmunds is a seasoned veteran. His market value, according to Over the Cap, has dipped to $7.3 million per season, a significant decrease from his Chicago salary. This reduction could affect his trade value, but if he’s open to a new contract, Edmunds could be a reliable solution for Buffalo’s linebacker needs.
The free agent pool for middle linebackers is thin, dominated by players over 30 who have seen better days. If the financial terms align, Beane would be prudent to consider bringing Edmunds back to Buffalo, offering Defensive Coordinator Jim Leonhard a formidable presence in the heart of the defense.