Bears allow star linebacker Tremaine Edmunds to seek trade in NFL surprise

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The Bears granted permission for linebacker Tremaine Edmunds to seek a trade, according to multiple reports.

Edmunds is under contract for $15 million in salary and bonuses in 2026 — the last year of his four-year, $72 million contract — per Spotrac.com.

Tremaine Edumunds during Week 18. AP

None of that money is guaranteed, however, and Edmunds could be on the hunt for a contract restructure.

Originally a first-round pick of the Bills in 2018, Edmunds, 27, made two Pro Bowls in Buffalo.

He has nine interceptions, including four in 13 games last season, in three years with the Bears.

Since 2000, Edmunds and newly minted Hall of Famer Luke Kuechly are the only players in the NFL to reach 900 tackles and 50 passes defended before turning 28 years old, according to NFL Research.

The inside linebacker market in free agency is topped by Second-Team All-Pro Devin Lloyd. It includes Kaden Ellis, Leon Chenal, Quay Walker and Nakobe Dean, which means that teams could be reluctant to give up a meaningful draft asset to acquire Edmunds rather than taking their shot at paying one of the other options.

Edmunds missed four games late last season due to a groin injury but returned and was effective in the playoffs.

Edmunds makes a tackle against the Lions. Getty Images

Edmunds originally was signed by the Bears as part of a free-agent splash in 2023, when they also added linebacker T.J. Edwards.

The Giants, Buccaneers and Chiefs are among teams who could be in the inside linebacker market.

Giants general manager Joe Schoen was part of the Bills brass when they drafted Edmunds with the No. 16 pick as a teenager.