March 5, 2026, 9:06 p.m. CT
The Chicago Bears are moving on from one of their key defensive leaders.
According to NFL insider Adam Schefter, the Bears are releasing linebacker Tremaine Edmunds. The move comes one week after the team allowed Edmunds to seek a trade and began shopping him. With the Bears unable to find a trade partner, however, Edmunds will hit the open market.
Edmunds, a 2018 first-round pick for the Buffalo Bills, has been with the Bears for the last three seasons. He signed a lucrative free agent deal in 2023 for four years worth up to $72 million to be the field general on defense. He was a productive player in Chicago, totaling more than 100 tackles in each of the last three years. Edmunds and linebacker TJ Edwards formed a solid duo in the middle of the defense in 2023 and carried that into parts of 2024.
After the Bears overhauled their coaching staff, Edmunds began playing the weak side linebacker position under defensive coordinator Dennis Allen and found success. Early in the season, the former Pro Bowler excelled in the role, producing three straight weeks of double-digit tackles and coming away with four interceptions. Unfortunately, Edmunds suffered a groin injury in the second half of the season that knocked him out of four games. After returning, Edmunds struggled to recapture his early-season form. He finished the year with 112 total tackles, three for loss, four interceptions, and one fumble recovery.
With the release, the Bears save $15 million against the cap. It’s their second major move of the day after they agreed to trade wide receiver DJ Moore to the Buffalo Bills in exchange for a 2026 second-round pick.
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Edmunds getting released isn’t a surprise seeing as the Bears telegraphed the move last week when they allowed him to seek a trade. Now that he’s set to move on, however, fans are wondering if this is a precursor to a big trade or signing.
NFL world reacts to Bears releasing LB Tremaine Edmunds