The 2025 season is going to be huge for a great number of veterans returning for the Chicago Bears, and linebacker Tremaine Edmunds is at the top of that list.
Edmunds arrived in Chicago in March of 2023, signing a four‑year, $72 million contract with $50 million guaranteed. Expectations were sky-high given his Pro Bowl background with the Buffalo Bills, where he spent the first five years of his career.
But after two seasons with the Bears, Edmunds has notched just 1.0 sacks after having 6.5 in Buffalo, and his lack of impactful plays has been a focal point for some talking heads and analysts.
When assessing the Bears’ salary cap after the 2025 season, Aaron Leming of Windy City Gridiron noted that either a pre- or post-June 1 release of Edmunds would save Chicago $15 million.
“His status beyond 2025 is tricky,” Leming wrote about Edmunds. “The Bears prioritized a two-year extension with T.J. Edwards earlier in the offseason. This leaves the 27-year-old going into the final year of his deal next season with less than $2.5 million in dead money. Barring a surprise, it appears Edmunds will be playing his final season in Chicago.”
More on Why LB the Chicago Bears Will Likely Cut Tremaine Edmunds After 2025
GettyTremaine Edmunds of the Chicago Bears has been named a top cut candidate.
“Money will always play the most significant role in this equation,” Leming added. “It’s impossible to overlook the fact that Edmunds is the third-highest-paid linebacker in the league, and has yet to produce anything close to that when it comes to his play on the field. … having virtually no dead money and a significant cap savings is always a recipe for being a cut candidate.”
While he hasn’t been a dominant force, Edmunds has brought undeniable durability and consistency, starting 32 out of 33 possible games over his two seasons in Chicago. In that span, he has amassed 223 total tackles (eight for loss), 12 passes defensed and five interceptions.
In 2024 alone, he finished with 110 tackles, eight pass breakups an INT, three QB hits and a forced fumble.
Leming is correct, though — he’s getting paid top LB money, but he’s not performing like a top LB. The NFL is a business first and foremost, so cutting him to save money might be the Bears’ best option.
Dennis Allen’s Opinion of Edmunds Will Ultimately Determine the LB’s Fate
This coming season, Edmunds and the rest of Chicago’s defense will have a new coordinator in Dennis Allen. Edmunds’ strengths—range, high football IQ and solid coverage skills—could make him a huge asset. But should he fail to make his presence felt in the middle of the field, Allen will likely look for a replacement after the 2025 season.
So far, though, Edmunds says he’s energized by his new DC.
“I can tell just by his energy, his passion, the way he communicates his words, the tone in which he communicates is all geared toward, ‘we want this to happen right now. We’re not waiting for anything. Let’s hit the ground running,’” Edmunds said about his new DC, via the Bears’ official website. “We’re all excited, and not just that, but it’s all about belief. Belief that we can win now, belief that we can be special right now.”
If Edmunds really can be special, he might stay put. But even then, his contract could make him a potential cut candidate regardless.
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