Bears linebackers ranked second-best in NFL |
The Monsters of the Midway might be back in 2023 with a much improved defense.
The Bears have the second-best linebacking group, according to Pro Football Focus. "Chicago's front seven underperformed in 2022, so the team used free agency to acquire two of the highest-graded players at the position," PFF's Dalton Wasserman said. "Tremaine Edmunds arrives from Buffalo after a long-awaited breakout that saw massive increases in his overall (81.9) and coverage (90.0) grades. The latter mark, along with his 10 pass breakups, led all qualified linebackers. "T.J. Edwards comes with less fanfare but was the unsung hero of the Eagles' elite defense. He played nearly 1,200 snaps and graded above 78.0 against the run, in coverage and as a pass-rusher, which added up to the sixth-best overall grade (81.6) at the position. "Second-year man Jack Sanborn provides a good complement as a rugged, SAM-type linebacker in Matt Eberflus' 4-3 defense. He showed flashes of talent last year, posting 80.0-plus grades in his last two games. "This group hasn't played together yet, but the Bears are banking on talent and couldn't have much more at their disposal." As the 2023 season approaches, the Bears' revamped linebacking group will be a focal point for the team's success. If they can live up to their potential and perform at the level suggested by PFF's rankings, the Monsters of the Midway could become a dominant force once again, wreaking havoc on opposing offenses and leading the Bears' defensive resurgence.
