Why Tremaine Edmunds’ Trade Market Is Reportedly Bigger Than We Thought
The Chicago Bears knew they’d have to make some tough decisions this offseason to get under the salary cap. One of the most prominent was with linebacker Tremaine Edmunds. While the 28-year-old has been a quality starter since signing with the team in 2023, his contract has become problematic as the team faces salary cap issues. As a result, they’ve given Edmunds and his agents permission to seek potential trade destinations. Most believe this is a pointless exercise and the linebacker will eventually be released.
NFL insider Albert Breer isn’t so sure about that. He believes Edmunds is valued much more highly in NFL circles than among the fans and media. Given his age and productivity, there is a chance the Bears might not just get a return on him, but a decent one.
Tremaine Edmunds is somehow both heading into his ninth NFL season and still two months shy of his 28th birthday. And so as the Bears seek a potential trade partner to shed a little salary, there should be a market for the big, athletic, still relatively young linebacker.
What sort of return will Edmunds bring? My guess is that an early Day 3 pick is how most teams would value him, because he’s due $15 million this year, with what amounts to a $15 million team option for next year on the contract as well. That market, by the way, is dictated by the fact that most teams are hesitant to pay off-ball linebackers that don’t bring a lot of pass-rush value. Still, some team could get a good player here.
With little cap space to throw around, the only way the Bears can continue overhauling their roster is with draft picks. Getting a potential 4th rounder for Edmunds would be a significant victory for the organization.
The reasons someone would trade for Tremaine Edmunds are simple.
From what we’ve seen over the past several years, the linebacker is good for around 110 tackles, a couple of interceptions, and a sack every year. Several teams wouldn’t mind that kind of production from that position. He was playing great football for the Bears last season before getting injured. He’s well-known for being a great teammate. The only sticking point is that $17.4 million cap hit. That can be dealt with by handing him a limited extension, perhaps another two years. This would lower the hit considerably.
Conversely, the Bears would then have eight picks in the 2026 draft, giving them more flexibility to remake the roster as head coach Ben Johnson and defensive coordinator Dennis Allen see fit. Besides, getting a draft pick back for a player you signed using only money is pretty good football business. The challenge will be finding a buyer. Las Vegas, New York, Dallas, and Denver all need help at linebacker. Outside of the Cowboys, all of those teams have enough cap space to facilitate a trade. The Jets have extra picks to spare, as do the Raiders.
All the Bears need is more than one team to be interested.
The allure of Tremaine Edmunds is simple enough. Free agency has few clear answers at the position, which means several teams will be vying for his services were he to hit the market. Would you rather get in a bidding war for him and risk losing out, or flip a mid round pick to the Bears to guarantee landing him? That is what GM Ryan Poles is likely banking on. Somebody won’t want Edmunds reaching free agency and feel a 4th or 5th rounder is a reasonable price to pay. He’s still in his prime and should be a quality starter for a few more years at least.
Some don’t believe it will reach that point. The incoming 2026 draft class has a host of quality linebacker options this year. Teams will end up just taking their chances in that area, letting someone else pay for Edmunds. Chicago will likely move him before the start of the new league year on March 11th. All they need is a couple of teams to make offers. If they can snag any draft pick, it should be considered a win. More capital is a good thing for this organization.