CHICAGO — The Chicago Bears have released veteran linebacker Tremaine Edmunds, a move that clears significant salary-cap space as the franchise prepares for the upcoming NFL league year and free agency.
Edmunds, a two-time Pro Bowl selection, was entering the final season of the four-year, $72 million contract he signed with Chicago in 2023. The decision to move on from the 27-year-old linebacker frees roughly $15 million in cap space for the Bears as they continue to reshape their roster ahead of the 2026 season.
The move had been anticipated after the Bears granted Edmunds permission to seek a trade during the NFL scouting combine. When no deal materialized, the team opted to release the veteran defender instead.
Edmunds spent three seasons in Chicago after beginning his career with the Buffalo Bills, who selected him with the 16th overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft. Known for his size and range at linebacker, Edmunds has been a full-time starter throughout his eight-year career and has compiled more than 900 tackles.
Despite missing time with a groin injury last season, Edmunds remained productive. He recorded 112 tackles and four interceptions in 2025, tying a career high in picks while continuing to serve as a centerpiece of Chicago’s defense.
For the Bears, the move signals a broader roster reset as the organization creates financial flexibility heading into free agency. Chicago has been active in reshaping its roster this offseason, seeking to reallocate resources and build around its young core.
For Edmunds, the release opens the door to a new chapter. Still in his late 20s and with a proven track record as a three-down linebacker, he is expected to draw significant interest on the open market. Teams in need of defensive leadership and athleticism at linebacker — particularly contenders looking for experience in the middle of their defense — could view Edmunds as one of the top available options once free agency begins.
Whether he lands with a playoff contender or reunites with familiar coaches elsewhere, Edmunds’ combination of youth, production and experience should make him one of the more intriguing defensive names to watch during the 2026 NFL offseason.
