As the Chicago Bears head into a critical offseason, one of the names on the chopping block is linebacker Tremaine Edmunds. Edmunds, who is entering the final year of a hefty $72 million contract, hasn't quite lived up to the early promise he showed, and with the Bears eyeing some cap relief, he seems like a prime candidate for release before free agency kicks off.
The challenge for Chicago is finding a suitable replacement since there's no clear successor waiting in the wings. This means the Bears will have to look beyond their roster, possibly through trades or free agency, to fill the gap.
Enter Pete Werner, a linebacker from the New Orleans Saints. There's buzz, notably from Sports Illustrated's Conor Orr, about the Bears potentially making a move for Werner. Trading for Werner could involve a late-round pick, pairing a player familiar with Dennis Allen's defensive schemes with a Chicago defense that could use a boost in run support.
Werner, a second-round pick back in 2021, brings several appealing attributes to the table. He's already thrived under Allen's guidance, which would make his transition to the Bears smoother. Plus, he's a more economical option compared to Edmunds while still offering solid run-stopping ability-something the Bears desperately need after ranking sixth-worst in run defense last season.
Now, would the Saints be willing to part with Werner? It's a scenario worth considering.
Werner hasn't quite hit the mark since his contract extension, and the Saints might be eager to give more playing time to Danny Stutsman. While the Saints could decide to keep Werner if Demario Davis doesn't return, putting Werner on the trade block could make sense, especially for a team like the Bears looking to shore up their defense.