The Chicago Bears are set to release veteran linebacker Tremaine Edmunds, according to a source. The news broke on Thursday.
The move will free up $15 million in cap space for the Bears as they approach free agency.
Edmunds, who is 27, was preparing for the final year of his four-year, $72 million contract, which he signed as a free agent in 2023. Prior to this decision, Chicago had granted Edmunds permission to explore trade options on Feb. 25, indicating he was at risk of becoming a cap casualty.
Edmunds’ Contract Details
Edmunds’ contract includes a $13.9 million base salary for 2026, along with a $1 million roster bonus due on the fifth day of the league year. His cap hit is $17.9 million.
General manager Ryan Poles addressed Edmunds’ future at the NFL combine, stating that the team’s roster situation, with many talented and well-paid players, was putting constraints on the cap. He acknowledged the difficult decisions that had to be made, especially concerning players with strong relationships and leadership roles within the organisation.
Performance and Team Restructuring
Last season, Edmunds led the Bears with 112 tackles, also recording nine passes defensed, four interceptions, one sack and a fumble recovery. He missed four games due to a groin injury. Edmunds also tallied 13 tackles in Chicago’s two playoff games.
The Bears have been active this week. The team sent wide receiver DJ Moore and a fifth-round pick to the Buffalo Bills for a 2026 second-rounder on Thursday night. This trade followed center Drew Dalman’s surprise retirement on Wednesday. These three moves are estimated to create $44 million in cap space for the Bears.
The Bears’ general manager, Ryan Poles, said, “This is a unique situation where we’ve gotten our roster in a position where we have a lot of talented players, a lot of guys getting paid well, and that puts some constraints on the cap.”
He continued, “So we got to make some tough decisions. And, you know, like I said, when we win games, you create these relationships. There’s leadership guys or guys that were captains that mean a lot to our organization. But when you’re kind of put in a corner, that’s what league’s been and has been.”
The Bears are releasing veteran linebacker Tremaine Edmunds, freeing up cap space for the team.