The Chicago Bears are heading into a massive game against the Green Bay Packers on Saturday night and they’ll need to be at the top of their game to get one step closer to clinching their first division title since 2018. One of the areas of concern going into Saturday’s game is the linebacker position, but it could get stronger with the potential return of linebacker Tremaine Edmunds.
Edmunds was designated for return on Monday as he works his way back from a groin injury and got in a limited practice on Tuesday. The limited practice was a great sign for the Bears as NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported there is a “real chance” that Edmunds plays against the Packers, giving the Bears one of their key defensive players.
Of course, that creates a roster shuffle. According to the Chicago Tribune’s Brad Biggs, the Bears made the first move by releasing LB Jaylen Reeves-Maybin from the practice squad on Wednesday and there could be more changes on the way as they gear up for their biggest game of the season.
Tremaine Edmunds Could Shake Up Bears’ Depth Chart with Potential Return vs. Packers
The most noticeable change for the Bears if Edmunds returns will be in the starting lineup. T.J. Edwards has shaken off his latest round of hamstring and hand injuries to start alongside Edmunds, and Noah Sewell could go back into a reserve and special teams role where he made two tackles and posted a 61.7 grade on 129 snaps according to Pro Football Focus.
PFF grades don't always tell the whole story, but the fact that Sewell's grade has now declined in back-to-back seasons (from 83.8 in 2023 to 65.4 in 2024) can't be ignored.
While that trio has its roles set in stone, the rest of the linebacker group could be on notice heading into Saturday. The Bears lost one of their contributors in Sunday’s win over the Cleveland Browns when Amen Ogbongbemiga went down with a hamstring injury, and the coaching staff doesn’t feel comfortable with allowing Ruben Hyppolite to see the field as he’s logged two tackles and a 48.9 grade on 82 special teams snaps this season.
Even with the injuries and Hyppolite’s ineffectiveness, the Bears have options. D’Marco Jackson has slowly been making an impact and had an interception in Sunday’s win over the Browns. The 27-year-old also ranks 10th among Bears qualifiers with a 58.7 grade on special teams and is tied for fifth with five special teams tackles on 210 snaps per PFF.
With Jackson’s recent performance, the Bears could roll with a quartet of Edmunds, Edwards, Sewell, and Jackson if Ogbongbemiga is unable to play – a likely outcome considering he missed practice on Tuesday. If Edwards isn’t able to go, the Bears could still use Hyppolite in a reserve role or hope Ogbonbemiga gets better over the course of the week.
These options make sense of Reeves-Maybin’s release, who logged a pair of special teams tackles during his time with the Bears but had already been elevated a maximum of three times. Instead of clogging a roster spot permanently, the Bears could use it for Edmunds or elevate Ty Summers or the recently signed Dominique Hampton for insurance while using the same group they’ve been using for the past couple of weeks.
Bears fans will gladly accept the shift if they get Edmunds back on Saturday, but it could trigger a new look for Chicago’s linebacking group as they look to complete their push for a division title.