{"id":163750,"date":"2026-04-01T16:00:25","date_gmt":"2026-04-01T21:00:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.chicitysports.com\/?p=163750"},"modified":"2026-04-01T14:34:38","modified_gmt":"2026-04-01T19:34:38","slug":"chicago-bears-tj-edwards-trade-nfl-draft","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.chicitysports.com\/chicago-bears-tj-edwards-trade-nfl-draft\/","title":{"rendered":"Chicago Bears urged to trade fan-favorite defender ahead of 2026 NFL Draft"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Chicago Bears<\/a> finished the 2025 NFL season 11-6 and won the NFC North division title. They also knocked their hated rivals, the Green Bay Packers<\/a> out of the postseason before falling to the Los Angeles Rams<\/a> in the divisional round. Overall, it was a very successful season.<\/p>\n

Of course, new head coach Ben Johnson<\/a> deserves a great deal of credit for the quick turnaround in Chicago. He revamped the offense and brought in a bright new coaching staff that helped players reach new heights.<\/p>\n

Among these was defensive coordinator Dennis Allen<\/a>, whose 2025 Bears defense led the NFL in takeaways. However, they also finished near the bottom of the league in passing yards and points allowed.<\/p>\n

The Chicago Bears are urged to trade linebacker TJ Edwards ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft<\/h2>\n
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Chicago Bears TJ Edwards before a matchup with 49ers – Credit: Bob Kupbens-Imagn Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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Chicago has already made some changes on defense by signing safety Coby Bryant to replace Kevin Byard and Jaquan Brisker, both of whom signed elsewhere in free agency.<\/p>\n

Over the course of the off-season, Chicago has taken measures to cut salary and set themselves up to be able to extend players, sign other free agents, and sign their 2026 NFL Draft class.<\/p>\n

Jerry Markarian of\u00a0Sports Illustrated<\/a>\u00a0<\/em>believes that the Bears should continue to do so by trading, not cutting, linebacker TJ Edwards:<\/p>\n

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“With that said, they could trade him and save $6.2 million against the cap. Trading him with a post-June 1st designation would save closer to $8 million. They wouldn’t get much (at all, actually), but a deal in the vein of a late-round pick swap would make a lot of sense to get his contract off the books and allow them to get under the cap to sign their rookie class.<\/p>\n

“This year’s draft class would provide Chicago with a unique opportunity to replace him with someone who would be a much better fit for the style of defense they want to have. There are a lot of fast and physical ‘backers who will hear their name called on day two.”<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Chicago cannot release Edwards to save money. He has a $12 million dead cap hit, but just a $10.6 million cap hit if he remains on the team. The only way they can move on from him and save money is by trading him.<\/p>\n

Markarian argues that Edwards, who is coming off a major leg injury, may not be the speedy linebacker that the Bears need to improve as a defensive unit. He suggests that a late pick swap with another team in a trade for Edwards would make sense.<\/p>\n

And it might. Chicago would save money and open up more opportunities for younger players. On the other hand, though, they would lose an important locker room voice.<\/p>\n

More\u00a0Chicago Bears news<\/a>\u00a0from ChiCity Sports<\/h2>\n