Bears Take a Different Route

The Bears focused their defensive emphasis on linebacker rather than the defensive line as free agency began.

It seemed a direct departure from where GM Ryan Poles would go as free agency began as they needed offensive tackle not guard, and defensive tackles or ends. But the truth is they simply needed players everywhere.

After reportedly agreeing to terms with Philadelphia linebacker T.J. Edwards, GM Ryan Poles struck his biggest blow of the first day by agreeing to a four-year-deal with Buffalo linebacker Tremaine Edmunds that NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported at $72 million with $52 million guaranteed.

Edmunds is a 6-foot-5, 250-pound middle linebacker regarded as the second-best player in free agency at his position by Pro Football Focus. In 2020 and 2019, Edmunds made the Pro Bowl

They also set the return of guard Cody Whitehair into question by agreeing to a contract with Tennessee Titans guard Nate Davis on a three-year contract.

Edmunds essentially will make the amount the Bears wanted to pay to Roquan Smith before deciding to trade him when he wanted more.

Edmunds, 24, has great arm length to go with his height, and an ability to drop into zone coverage and disrupt passes. He has 35 pass deflections in five seasons, two forced fumbles and five interceptions. Last year Edmunds had a passer rating against when targeted of just 69.9 and missed only one tackle.

The linebacker situation now looks entirely different than when the season ended and the only experience they had back was Jack Sanborn and six career starts.

Apparently the plan is using T.J. Edwards as a weakside linebacker, since the great height lets Edmunds play the role of Brian Urlacher in this same scheme the Bears used in the Lovie Smith era. Edwards would be the new version of Lance Briggs. Although both players are versatile enough to play it the other way.

The signing of Nate Davis for what NFL Network said was $30 million for three years with $12 million guaranteed, calls into question what the Bears are planning to do with either Cody Whitehair or even Teven Jenkins.

Davis has great experience blocking the wide zone scheme for Derrick Henry over four seasons with the Titans so he is a fit for the Bears system. Whitehair could be cut at an overall savings to the team of $5.7 million. They would save $9.9 million but would lose $4.2 million in dead cap space.

These figures are according to Overthecap.com, and apply to a June 1 cut. Teams are able to designate two players as June 1 cuts and make the move early.

They could always trade someone, as well. Last year Jenkins was rumored to be trade bait early in the year. Later, after he went through the season as one of the most effective guards in the league, he still emerged uncertain about his future with the team even after earning high praise from GM Ryan Poles and Eberflus.

Davis has been in the league four seasons and is 6-foot-3, 316 pounds.

Twitter: BearDigest@BearsOnMaven

Add us as a preferred source on Google