Bears’ linebackers shined in 2023
The Bears went into last offseason with more than $100 million in available salary cap space — more money to spend in free agency than any other team.
In somewhat of a surprise move, they went out and made two big splashes at the linebacker position. Less than a year after trading linebacker Roquan Smith because of their inability to agree to a long-term contract, the Bears handed out big deals to Tremaine Edmunds (four years, $72 million) and TJ Edwards (three years, $19.5 million).
The Bears found two experienced veterans for the price of one (Smith signed a five-year, $100 million contract with Baltimore).
Here’s a look back at what went well and what didn’t for the Bears at the linebacker position in 2023.
Positives
Despite some early bumps in the road, the additions of Edmunds and Edwards proved to be two of the best moves the Bears made in 2023. Edmunds was a ball hawk with four interceptions, seven passes defended, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. His length (he’s 6-foot-5 with 34.5-inch long arms) allowed him to bat down passes and be a disrupter in pass coverage. That was an element that the smaller Smith couldn’t replicate.
With Edmunds being the rangy coverage linebacker, Edwards had the chance to be a tackling machine. He led the Bears and finished seventh overall in the NFL with 155 combined tackles. That total included 91 solo tackles and 64 assists. He was effective when blitzing, recording 2.5 sacks, eight quarterback hits, eight tackles for loss, a forced fumble and two fumble recoveries. He was equally effective in pass coverage with three interceptions and seven passes defended.
This duo was a big reason why the Bears defense made such big strides in 2023. Second-year pro Jack Sanborn, who after the Smith trade was effectively the team’s top linebacker in 2022, took on more of a supporting role. When the Bears were in their base 4-3 defense, Sanborn was in the starting lineup.
Negatives
The only real negative was Edmunds missing game time due to a knee injury suffered during a late-October matchup with the Los Angeles Chargers. He missed the following two games, but avoided going on injured reserve.
The duo maybe had a slow start to the season as they adjusted to a new scheme and teammates. But it didn’t last long.
Sanborn saw a drop in playing time, but that wasn’t because he wasn’t capable.
Defining moments
Free agency: As mentioned previously, the Bears were expected to spend big in free agency, but not many pegged linebacker as the position where they would spend money. The addition of Edmunds signaled the Bears were looking for something that Matt Eberflus talked about a lot with his defenders — length. Edwards could slide into Smith’s vacated spot as the weakside linebacker.
Week 12 win: Edwards single-handedly changed the course of a Week 12 win with back-to-back heads-up plays against the Vikings. First, he made an impressive tackle after following a man in motion across the length of the field before a third-down snap. The tackle forced the Vikings to go for it on fourth down. That’s when Edwards picked off Minnesota quarterback Josh Dobbs.
Edwards finished the game with six tackles, one quarterback hit, one tackle for loss, an interception and a pass defended.
Detroit beatdown: The Bears played their best football in a Week 14 win over the Detroit Lions. They dominated the game from start to finish. Both Edmunds and Edwards grabbed interceptions. The Bears had picked off Goff three times in their previous meeting too. Goff threw multiple interceptions in only three games this season.
Contract status
Edmunds is under contract for three more seasons. He will make $22.4 million next season, second on the team behind only Montez Sweat. Edwards has two more years remaining on his contract. Sanborn will be a restricted free agent following the 2024 season. Noah Sewell has three years remaining on his contract. Micah Baskerville signed a futures deal for 2024.
Grade: A
The Bears completely revamped the linebacker position. Edmunds and Edwards were each a huge success. They were a ferocious duo for the Bears, creating takeaways and stopping ball carriers in their tracks.
Plan
The Bears don’t need to change much up at linebacker. Edmunds, Edwards and Sanborn will return and continue to be staples for the Bears defense. Sewell contributed on special teams and was a backup. He will continue in that role heading into 2024.
The Bears spent a lot of money at linebacker last year. There’s no need to do the same in free agency this year. If anything, the Bears could take a flyer on a late-round linebacker in the draft.