The Chicago Bears started their offseason by aggressively bolstering their trenches on both the offensive and defensive side of the ball. After that, general manager Ryan Poles and company decided to ensure the Bears’ defensive core stays in tact.
That started by making Kyler Gordon that highest paid slot cornerback in the NFL with a $40 million contract. Then, the Bears agreed to a two-year, $20 million contract extension with linebacker TJ Edwards. After a strong two-year run with the team, Chicago left no doubts about Edwards being a focal point of the defense.
New head coach Ben Johnson hasn’t had the opportunity to officially coach Edwards yet. However, the linebacker has already made a strong impression. After Edwards put his signature on the dotted line, Johnson had nothing but glowing remarks about the key Bears linebacker, via Luis Medina of Bleacher Nation.
“We are happy that T.J. and his family will remain members of the Chicago Bears,” Johnson said. “It is hard not to notice the positive influence that T.J. has in our building, and we are excited to have his leadership as we work to build our team.”
Poles believed that Edwards would be a strong fit in Chicago when he signed him to a three-year, near $20 million contract in 2023. The linebacker got to return to his hometown team. And Poles gave the Bears’ defense a player to build around.
“Our entire organization is excited for T.J. and his family,” Poles said. “T.J. has had a positive impact on our organization over the last two years, both on and off the field. We are grateful to have T.J. as a member of the Chicago Bears Family, and we look forward to his continued leadership on our team.”
TJ Edwards’ run with Chicago Bears
Edwards began his career with the Philadelphia Eagles, spending four years with the team. Over 61 games, he racked up 389 tackles, five sacks, 13 passes defended, nine quarterback hits and two interceptions. But when the Bears came calling, Edwards couldn’t resist the opportunity.
He immediately elevated his game in year one in Chicago, recording a career-high 2.5 sacks, eight quarterback hits, seven passes defended and three picks to go alongside 155 tackles. Over his entire career with the Bears, Edwards has made 284 tackles, 14 QB hits, 10 passes defended, 6.5 sacks and four picks. Put simply, the linebacker has surpassed many of his Eagles numbers in just two seasons with the Bears.
Chicago’s contract extension is a testament to both Edwards’ output and how much better the team thinks he can get. Dennis Allen will surely enact change as he steps in as defensive coordinator. But Edwards will be a constant in the middle of the field. If Chicago is going to have a defensive revival in 2025, Edwards will be at the center of it.
The Bears have spent big in free agency as they try to make their way back into contention. Edwards has been one of their clear winners. Now, he’ll be a defensive leader in the Windy City through at least the 2027 season.
What Bears must improve
While Edwards is a strong building block, the Bears need more than one player to get where they need to be defensively. Johnson’s arrival may have brought plenty of hype about the offense’s potential. However, Chicago’s defense must show true improvement in 2025 to be considered a real contender.
The Bears ended their 2024 campaign ranked 27th in total defense, allowing 354.3 yards per game. They truly struggled against the run, ranking 28th overall by allowing 136.3 yards per game. The team brought in veteran Grady Jarrett and has a rising player in Gervon Dexter. Both must step up to stop the line from reverting to a leaky faucet.
Chicago was better against the pass, but they still ranked in the middle of the pack at 16th by allowing 217.9 YPG. The team has a solid secondary core, built around Gordon and Jaylon Johnson. Edwards and Tremaine Edmunds must be spry in the middle of the field while Kevin Byard and Jaquan Brisker act as ball hawks on the back end.
The pieces are in place for success, but Johnson, Allen and the entire Bears organization must figure out how to put them all together. But by re-signing players such as Gordon and Edwards, Chicago is confident they’re on a path towards continued defensive success.
