The Chicago Bears have turned things around in the first year under Ben Johnson, making the playoffs for the first time since 2020. Although they made the postseason, not everyone played their best ball during the 2025 campaign.
Multiple underwhelming players didn't put their best foot forward, and one of those guys is linebacker Tremaine Edmunds. Despite leading the team in total tackles (112), he left a lot to be desired in other areas, especially coverage.
Edmunds also missed some time due to a groin injury. The missed time, in combination with his production in coverage, makes it clear that he didn't play up to the contract value he received from the front office.
Tremaine Edmunds Robbed Bears with His Performance in 2025
Edmunds was the third-highest paid player on the Bears roster this season, making $17.4 million, per Spotrac. Edmunds has been picked on by opposing QBs whenever he's in coverage, and teams have enjoyed a great deal of success when doing so.
According to Pro Football Focus, Edmunds owns a 52.1 coverage grade (50th among 87 graded LBs). He has allowed 51 catches (64 targets) for 475 receiving yards and three touchdowns. Since returning from injury in Week 16, Edmunds has given up 16 catches (2nd most) on 16 targets for 161 yards and two touchdowns. In addition, he allowed a passer rating of 148.2 when targeted (h/t @TommyK_NFLDraft).
The Virginia Tech product did snag four interceptions, with nine pass deflections on the year, but when you get targeted consistently, you have to make plays. Yet, he still has been a player that teams look to expose.
And that shouldn't be the case when Edmunds is the third-highest paid LB in the league. Although the focus is on the playoffs, fans have already started looking ahead to the offseason, and some have suggested that the Bears should cut him this offseason. If they went down that path, Chicago would save $15 million in cap space, according to Spotrac.
The playoffs may not be enough to save his Bears tenure, and his production in 2025 is the reason to blame. The 27-year-old has been leaned on by this coaching staff, but sometimes the juice is not worth the squeeze.
The Bears have some other holes that need to be filled on this team, and the idea of moving on from Edmunds is enticing. He got a hefty price tag in 2025 and didn't live up to it.