The Chicago Bears have given linebacker Tremaine Edmunds the green light to explore trade options, a move that could be seen as strategic given his hefty $15 million salary for the upcoming year, which comes without any guarantees.
Edmunds has been a solid presence in the Bears' defense, but with his contract situation, the Bears might be looking to gain some value through a trade rather than letting him walk away for nothing. This decision could be a savvy play by Chicago to recoup assets.
Drafted by the Buffalo Bills in the first round out of Virginia Tech back in 2018, Edmunds quickly made his mark. His initial four-year rookie contract with the Bills was worth $12.659 million, including a $7.286 million signing bonus. Buffalo valued his contributions enough to pick up his fifth-year option, paying him $12.726 million in 2022.
In a significant career move, Edmunds inked a four-year, $72 million deal with the Bears, including $50 million guaranteed. Now, as he enters the final year of this contract, his $15 million base salary for 2026 looms large.
Last season, Edmunds showcased his skills over 13 games, amassing 112 total tackles, three tackles for loss, a sack, a fumble recovery, four interceptions, and nine pass deflections. His performance underscores his value on the field, making him an intriguing option for teams in need of a linebacker with proven capabilities.