Shortly after the NFL scouting combine began, it was reported that the Chicago Bears granted veteran linebacker Tremaine Edmunds permission to seek a trade. The report did not come as a complete shock, given that Edmunds is considered a potential cut candidate this offseason.
If the Bears were to cut the 27-year-old linebacker before June 1, they would get $15 million in cap savings and only take on $2.4 million in dead cap, per OverTheCap. That additional cap space could help them retain one of their key free agents or make a move to sign another guy at a potential need.
That said, Bears general manager Ryan Poles would probably like to get something in return for Edmunds if possible, instead of just letting him walk for free. Luckily for the Bears, the veteran LB already has suitors emerging as free agency looms.
On Sunday, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler wrote that the Tennessee Titans, Las Vegas Raiders, and New York Giants are among the teams interested in high-end LBs and mentioned that they like Edmunds.
Tremaine Edmunds-Bears Split Takes Another Step Towards Fruition
Poles must love that there are teams with Edmunds on their radar. However, these three teams are not contenders in their respective divisions heading into next season. Still, the Bears' linebacker would be an immediate upgrade over what those squads currently have at that spot.
The Giants’ current middle linebacker is Bobby Okereke, who New York is reportedly expected to cut, per Dan Duggan of The Athletic. New York has a new head coach in John Harbaugh, who will be trying to win games in his first year and likely wants to fill the roster with players who fit his vision.
As for the Titans, Cody Barton is their middle linebacker, but with Robert Saleh taking over as head coach, having Edmunds would be a major splash to revamp that defense in Tennessee.
Finally, the Raiders have a new head coach, too, in Klint Kubiak. Their starting MLB in 2025 was Devin White, who had a bounce-back season as a full-time starter. However, White is scheduled to become a free agent, and Edmunds is a better option all around to stabilize that level of the defense.
Poles might like the idea of getting draft capital from the Titans and Raiders, as those two franchises are in rebuilding mode. The Titans have six picks between Rounds 3 and 7 in the 2026 draft, while the Raiders have a projected eight picks in that timeframe.
Despite being on the last year of his deal, the Bears should try to shoot for at least a third-round pick, considering Edmunds' age and production over the years. Regardless of the return, it will be interesting to see when Edmunds buys his first-class ticket out of the Windy City, as it's growing harder to imagine him back in a Chicago jersey with each offseason update.