All 32 teams have started roster negotiations for the 2025 offseason. Ben Johnson, the Chicago Bears’ first-time head coach, might be undergoing a major roster change. The addition of quality to the offensive and defensive lines continues to be the most important of Chicago’s many requirements. Although the Bears have a sizable amount of salary room ($63 million), they may increase it by cutting a number of players. Two Bears linebackers are listed among the NFC cut possibilities that NFL.com’s Matt Okada created.
“The Bears have a lot of work to do this offseason to build around Caleb Williams in hopes that he can take another step under Ben Johnson’s tutelage,” Okada wrote on February 17. “The Bears are currently projected to have $63 million in cap space.”
In 2023, Edmunds agreed to a four-year contract worth $72 million with the Bears, of which $50 million was guaranteed. The 2024 and 2025 cap hits on the contract are $22.4 million and $17.4 million, respectively. The Bears could save around $14.9 million against the salary limit by cutting Edmunds before the 2025 season, taking into account the remaining prorated signing bonus as dead cap. “Unless he was designated a post-June 1 cut, Edmunds carries a $17.4 million cap hit, though $13 million of that would remain dead money — and the $6.8 million in cap relief then wouldn’t take effect until June, negating the benefit in free agency,” Okada said.
In order to reallocate funds where they are most needed, it may be necessary to save money in some sectors. Tremaine Edmunds and T.J. Edwards, both middle linebackers, may therefore be eliminated from consideration.
“Edwards is easier to let go of, and his possible release would save $5.5 million.” One or both of the veterans may be dismissed this summer if Chicago’s front office decides it would be more beneficial to use the funds allocated to these linebackers in positions that would better protect or unlock its franchise quarterback.
Here, performance might also be a crucial factor. In his two seasons with the Bears, Edmunds has only accumulated 1.0 sacks and 8 tackles-for-loss, while being a reliable player who has recorded over 100 tackles in each of his seven NFL seasons. Would his time in the Windy City come to an end if he didn’t produce any plays that changed the course of the game? Although it’s unlikely, some analysts seem to believe it.
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