Chicago Bears linked to breakout star to replace Tremaine Edmunds

The Chicago Bears may be forced to cut linebacker Tremaine Edmunds this offseason, as the Bears have a disastrous salary cap situation and releasing Edmunds would save them a hefty $15 million.

Edmunds’ numbers in 2025 looked great, as he racked up 112 tackles, a sack, four interceptions and nine passes defended in 13 games. But a deeper look under the hood reveals that the 27-year-old may not have been as effective as his surface statistics indicate.

Edmunds posted a paltry 52.1 coverage grade at Pro Football Focus this past season, and in a pass-heavy NFL, that is very problematic for a linebacker. We know Edmunds is great against the run, but he carries a $17.5 million cap hit for 2026, the final year of a four-year, $72 million contract. That’s a significant blow for a player who appears to be declining.

Of course, if Chicago did part ways with Edmunds, it would have to replace him, and while the Bears could look to the NFL Draft, Joshua Queipo of Bear Goggles On has identified a more experienced option: Devin Bush.

Could the Chicago Bears sign Devin Bush?

Bush is headed toward free agency following a breakout campaign with the Cleveland Browns, and Queipo feels that he could be the best possible option.

“Devin Bush would cost more than [Alex] Anzalone, but still provide cash and cap savings for the Bears over keeping Edmunds,” Queipo wrote. “Bush was arguably the best linebacker in the NFL last year and offers the Bears’ defense fantastic upside.”

Bush racked up 125 tackles, a couple of sacks, three interceptions (including two pick-sixes), a pair of forced fumbles and eight passes defended this past season. What’s more, he managed an 80.4 coverage grade, ranking fourth out of 88 qualifying linebackers. On top of that, he registered an 87.6 overall grade.

The 27-year-old was originally selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers with the 10th overall pick of the 2019 NFL Draft and spent his first four seasons with the Steelers, enjoying an impressive rookie campaign but fading afterward. Bush then took a one-year detour with the Seattle Seahawks before joining the Browns in 2024.

Defense was a major issue for the Bears in 2025, so bringing a fresh, elite face like Bush aboard would definitely go a long way.

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