The Chicago Bears were not wasting any time out of the gates like a racehorse as soon as the bell rang saying that the NFL free agency has begun. Many of those past Bears teams that had money to spend, would put stupid money on players on their last legs. This new regime of the Bears signed a stud at the linebacker position taking one of the Bills’ biggest cogs on that defense. For a change, the Bears are signing a player in his prime; 24-year-old linebacker Tremaine Edmunds to a 4-year deal worth 72 million, of which 50 will be guaranteed. The Buffalo Bills were up against the salary cap and no way they could sign their defensive captain to that kind of money. Edmunds will get the largest four-year deal by an inside linebacker in the NFL. The Bills would have loved to have Edmunds back, and he should have been a guy that never hit the free agency market. Edmunds has been a starter day one since he was drafted in the first round by the Bills out of Virginia Tech, 16th overall. The thing about Edmunds is he is a really good player and yet has not hit his highest peak on the gridiron.

When the Bills drafted Tremaine Edmunds, he was only 19 years old and was the second youngest player ever selected in NFL history. Edmunds will be 25 in May. Edmunds has started all 74 regular season games he has ever played and all 8 post-season games the Bills have played since his arrival in Western New York. Edmunds is a two-time pro-bowler and has been the Bills defensive captain the last 4 seasons calling the plays in the huddle. Only his rookie year he did not call the defensive plays. Edmunds can tackle and has that Brian Urlacher speed to track down running backs in the back field. Edmunds has had at least 100 tackles in each of the seasons he has played. Edmunds has been improving his pass coverage but has defended 35 passes with 5 interceptions. Edmunds has racked up 6.5 sacks in his young career as he’s not been used as some linebackers that just pressure the quarterback. Edmunds’ rookie year he had his first interception off quarterback Sam Darnold and became the youngest player ever to accomplish that in NFL history. Last year, Edmunds played in 13 regular season games, still had 102 tackles, 6 tackles for loss, 1 interception, and a sack.

Tremaine Edmunds comes from a football family. Tremaine and his brother Terrell were both picked in the first round in the 2018 draft. Terrell Edmunds was picked number 28 by the Steelers as he also plays defense like Tremaine but at the safety position. Terrell also went to Virginia Tech. Their older brother Trey played on the offensive side of the ball like his father. Trey Edmunds was a running back and played in 37 games for the Saints and Steelers from 2017-21. Then the father with the magic genes he passed down was 2-time pro-bowler at the tight end position. Ferrell Edmunds suited up for the Dolphins from1988-92 & then did two seasons with the Seattle Seahawks.

The Bears signing Tremaine Edmunds basically replaces Roquan Smith, who the team traded to the Ravens at the deadline for a 2nd round draft pick. You wonder if Smith was offered the same kind of contract that Edmunds has. Smith wanted a longer deal on the years. You look at the bright side for the Bears: they got younger at Smith’s position and got a draft pick out of the deal. The Bears have money to spend as they will add more defensive players like Edmunds to the team. This move is a good start for the Bears because you are getting a guy in his prime years in only his second contract in the NFL. Edmunds was coached his entire NFL career by Lesile Frazier, one of the ’85 Bears. You have to respect him for helping this linebacker become something very special in the NFL. Edmunds brings the Bears a Captain on the field & a main cog to make this defense go round and round. Plus, Edmunds is a great locker room guy & awesome teammate who has that personality where people gravitate to him. I like this signing better than when the Bears made the trade for Khaili Mack who at the time I was very excited to watch him unleash on a douche like Aaron Rodgers of the Green Bay Packers. Edmunds will be a guy that gets the Bears defense off the field because this guy can tackle and chase you down like you owe him money. It’s a solid start for General Manager Ryan Poles making this deal happen.