Bears Allow LB Tremaine Edmunds to Seek Trade

The Chicago Bears have granted linebacker Tremaine Edmunds permission to seek a trade, opening the door for the 27-year-old veteran to potentially leave the team after three seasons. The move, confirmed by Edmunds' agent Todd France on Wednesday, comes as the Bears navigate salary cap constraints ahead of the new league year next month.

Edmunds, a former first-round pick by the Buffalo Bills in 2018, signed a four-year, $72 million contract with Chicago in 2023. He enters the final year of that deal in 2026 with a salary cap hit of approximately $17.5 million, none of which is guaranteed. Releasing him would free up about $15 million in cap space for the Bears, who are over the limit and face decisions around extensions, including for quarterback Caleb Williams. If no trade materializes, Edmunds is expected to become an unrestricted free agent.

During his time in Chicago, Edmunds anchored the Bears' defense, which improved dramatically under his contributions. In 2025, he led the team with 112 tackles despite missing four games due to a groin injury, and he recorded a career-high four interceptions in 13 appearances. Over eight NFL seasons, split between Buffalo and Chicago,...