Report: Bears signing standout linebacker to $19.5 million deal |
Big move for the Bears' defense.
The Chicago Bears are signing former Eagles linebacker TJ Edwards to a three-year deal worth $19.5 million with $12 million guaranteed, according to multiple reports, including NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. The deal is pending a physical. For his four-year career with the Eagles, Edwards has registered 389 tackles, five sacks, 13 passes defended, two interceptions, two forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries. In 2022, he had 159 tackles, including 99 solos, with 10 tackles for loss, two sacks, seven pass deflections, and one fumble recovery. "There are so many things I can do to improve my game," Edwards told 670 The Score in a radio interview Monday. "I think I’m just scratching the surface. I’m excited about where my game is headed.” Edwards was the sixth highest-rated linebacker in the NFL last season and 9th best in coverage (PFF). “Philadelphia brought Edwards back in 2022 on a one-year, $2.15 million deal at a position they have all but refused to invest in with top draft capital or free-agent dollars in many years, but Edwards may put the Eagles’ positional value to the test this offseason if they want to keep him around,” Pro Football Focus wrote recently. “He had a career year, helping turn around the Eagles’ defense with the second-best grade among off-ball linebackers (84.4). Edwards was one of just four linebackers to earn grades above 75.0 in run defense and coverage, generating 11 quarterback pressures on just 26 pass-rush snaps, as well. The former undrafted free agent is in for a big pay raise this offseason after making the absolute most of his one-year deal.” He was a senior at Wisconsin when Bears linebacker Jack Sanborn was a freshman and grew up only one hour from Soldier Field as a huge Bears fan. This is a dream come true for Edwards as he used to tailgate at Bears games hoping to one day play for them, and it happened for him. The Bears get T.J Edwards for nearly 15 million less per year than Roquan Smith. Wow. #DaBears #ChicagoBears #Bears
