The Chicago Bears, fresh off their massive trade with the Carolina Panthers that netted them an avalanche of picks and receiver D.J. Moore in exchange for the first overall pick in the 2023 draft, are partying like it’s 1999 at the start of free agency, grabbing two high-quality linebackers right out of the gate. Former Eagles stalwart T.J. Edwards will get a three-year, $19.5 million contract once the new league year flips over, but the big deal at the position is the four-year, $72 million contract given to former Buffalo Bills linebacker Tremaine Edmunds. The deal includes $50 million guaranteed, which makes it the largest contract for an inside linebacker in the NFL today.
The Bills took Edmunds out of Virginia Tech with the 16th overall pick in the 2018 draft, and waited four years before Edmunds’ football acumen caught up to his insane athleticism. It all kicked in last season, as Edmunds became the complete linebacker the Bills hoped he would be. He amassed two sacks, 10 total quarterback pressures, 91 tackles, 42 stops, and 46 catches allowed on 67 targets for 359 yards, 216 yards after the catch, one touchdown, one interception, 10 pass breakups, and an opponent passer rating of 80.4.
The only real issue with this deal is a big one — Edmunds has had one great season after four that were average to below-average. There are subsequent unknowns to make you wonder, and combined with the size of the contract, that’s where the B- comes from.
