4 Chicago Bears players who will not return after 2022 season
By Ryan Heckman
Mario Edwards will not return to the Chicago Bears after 2022
In 2021, the Bears re-signed veteran defensive lineman Mario Edwards Jr. following a 1-year contract in 2020. After stints with the Raiders, Giants and Saints, Chicago signed Edwards to a 3-year deal worth $11.6 million to stick around.
Edwards has been hot and cold in terms of production, but also in terms of his attitude and character.
In late 2020, Edwards was charged with assault on a female. Nothing ever truly happened with this situation, but Edwards stuck around and has shown a bit of an attitude on the field at times.
He’s had troubles with unnecessary penalties, specifically, and a head coach like Matt Eberflus likely won’t allow that to happen without repercussion.
Add in the fact that Edwards is another Pace signing, and he’s as good as gone next year. If the Bears cut him before his final year in 2023, the team saves roughly $2 million against the salary cap. That’s a fairly simple decision, especially for a roster going towards a youth movement.