The Chicago Bears decided to release Tremaine Edmunds on March 5 after failing to find a suitable trade partner. The Bears didn't want to bring him back for the 2026 season, especially since his cap hit was going to be $17.9 million.
That's a pretty penny for a player who struggled in 2025, and his release saved Chicago $15 million. The linebacker's exit from the Windy City was expected, but it also came with several benefits that will help the franchise in 2026 and beyond.
Tremaine Edmunds’ Bears Exit Helped Out Chicago in Several Ways
On Monday, the Bears signed linebacker Devin Bush to a three-year, $30 million deal. They also extended linebacker D'Marco Jackson on a two-year, $7.5 million deal. General manager Ryan Poles had a masterclass, using the money he saved on Edmunds' release to sign Bush and extend Jackson. Adding two players for the price of one is massive.
And while Edmunds made plays for the Bears, he was a liability in pass coverage. Last season, he gave up 56 catches for 530 receiving yards and four touchdowns. As judged by Pro Football Focus, Edmunds finished with a 52.1 coverage grade (50th among 88 graded LBs).
As for Bush, he was one of the best pass-defending linebackers in the NFL. On PFF, he finished with an 80.4 coverage grade (4th among 88 graded LBs). In 2025, he allowed 33 receptions for 247 yards and one score. For fans who think that was a fluke, in 2024, Bush gave up 16 receptions for 186 yards and zero touchdowns. Meanwhile, during the 2024 campaign, Edmunds allowed 51 grabs for 540 yards.
There's proof over the last two seasons of the caliber of pass defender that each player is, and it's clear that Bush has an advantage in that area.
We also can't overlook how Jackson looked last season. He appeared in 16 games (four starts), logging 43 total tackles, three pass breakups, and a fumble recovery. Chicago was able to retain him as a great depth piece while adding Bush with the money Edmunds would have otherwise taken up.
That's a fantastic job by the Bears' front office and should improve the middle of their defense while allowing that money to be used elsewhere.
Chicago had an instinctive defense in 2025 that capitalized on taking the football away, but they needed to improve on the margins. Edmunds' exit has allowed them to do that this offseason. He provided the Bears with an athletic linebacker for the last three years, but it was time to close the door, and it will have positive ripple effects on the team.