30 Most Important Bears of 2025: Tremaine Edmunds (No. 23)

The Chicago Bears are gearing up for an exciting 2025 NFL season, which features some new faces within the organization poised to get the franchise back to its winning ways. That starts with the hiring of Ben Johnson as head coach, as well as overhauling the interior offensive line, adding pieces on defense and a potenital impactful rookie draft class.

Every day from now right up through training camp, we’re counting down our 30 Most Important Bears for the 2025 season. We’ll recap their 2024 season, look ahead to 2025 and tackle the biggest question facing them this year.

Next up at No. 23 is linebacker Tremaine Edmunds, who XX

Background

Position: Linebacker

Age: 27

Experience: 8th season

2025 cap hit: $17.43 million

2024 recap

The Bears made Edmunds one of the highest-paid linebackers with a four-year, $72 million contract in 2023. While Edmunds has been consistent throughout his NFL career, as he’s totaled at least 100 total tackles every season, the problem is the Bears are paying him like an elite linebacker when he’s yet to prove that. Edmunds saw a dip in production last season, where he totaled 110 tackles, including three tackles for loss, one interception, eight pass breakups, one sack and one forced fumble. While Edmunds made plays, he still left some to be desired, especially in the form of missed tackles (he missed at least one tackle in 10 of 17 games) and passer rating allowed (92.9). Edmunds graded out as one of the worst linebackers, via Pro Football Focus, with a 59.3 overall grade. He notably struggled in coverage (56.3) and pass rush (52.9).

2025 outlook

Edmunds is entrenched as the Bears’ starting middle linebacker alongside T.J. Edwards heading into the 2025 season, and he’ll be key to the success of this defense. Edmunds should benefit from the addition of new defensive coordinator Dennis Allen, who employs the kind of defensive scheme that could make him a formidable force in the middle of the field. Following a so-so first couple of seasons in Chicago, Edmunds needs a big year to justify his lofty contract and prove that he’s worthy to remain on the roster in 2026.

Big Question: What does Edmunds’ future hold?

There are a number of players who serve to benefit from the addition of new defensive coordinator Dennis Allen, including Edmunds who has the potential for a breakout year in Allen’s linebacker-friendly scheme. And Edmunds needs a big season if he hopes to remain in Chicago. Edmunds is entering the final year of his contract next season, and there’s an out in the final year of his contract that would only cost the Bears $2.43 million in dead money as compared to this year ($35.46 million). Even if Edmunds finally has that breakout year in Chicago, it’s going to need to be big enough to justify a $17.43 million cap hit in 2026. Especially if Ruben Hyppolite II has a promising rookie season and gives the Bears cause to believe he could slide into that middle linebacker role.