The Chicago Bears could be close to moving away from one of their core pieces on defense. The team has granted permission for linebacker Tremaine Edmunds to seek out a trade with one year remaining on his contract. The news was first reported by Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune.
The #Bears have granted permission for LB Tremaine Edmunds to seek a trade, according to a league source. He’s under contract for the ’26 season at $15M. Still young and was Pro Bowl-caliber player thru first 10 games before minor injury. Finished year healthy. Led D in tackles.
— Brad Biggs (@BradBiggs) February 25, 2026
Edmunds, a 2018 first-round pick, has been with the Bears for the last three seasons. He signed a lucrative free agent deal in 2023 for four years worth up to $72 million to be the field general on defense. Edmunds has been a productive player in Chicago, totaling more than 100 tackles in each of the last three years. He, along with TJ Edwards, formed a solid duo in the middle of the defense in 2023 and carried that into parts of 2024.
Advertisement
After the Bears overhauled their coaching staff, Edmunds began playing the weak side linebacker position under defensive coordinator Dennis Allen and found success. Early in the season, the former Pro Bowler excelled in the role, producing three straight weeks of double-digit tackles and coming away with four interceptions. Unfortunately, Edmunds suffered a groin injury in the second half of the season that knocked him out of four games. After returning, Edmunds struggled to recapture his early-season form. He finished the year with 112 total tackles, three for loss, four interceptions, and one fumble recovery.
Entering the final year of his deal, Edmunds is owed $17 million, and it appears the Bears don’t want to be on the hook for that money. Edmunds will only be 28 entering the 2026 season and has shown he can be a solid performer when healthy. But it seems like his days in Chicago are numbered. We’ll see if the Bears get any takers or if they opt to release him, which would save them $15 million against the cap.
This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Bears grant LB Tremaine Edmunds to seek trade
