Chicago Bears: Edmunds not concerned with defense’s previous struggles

Chicago Bears linebacker Tremaine Edmunds isn’t concerned with the defense’s recent struggles.

In Phase 1 of this offseason, Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Poles did an excellent job of overhauling the roster. Of course, we won’t know for sure until the regular season, but this looks like a much-improved team.

One of the most significant changes that happened was the linebackers unit. Poles added two of the best linebackers in the NFL, T.J. Edwards and Tremaine Edmunds. Edwards was the sixth-ranked linebacker overall and Edmunds was the highest-ranked linebacker by Pro Football Focus.

The acquisition of Edmunds was huge. This is his sixth season in the league yet he is still only 25 years old. He has plenty of good years ahead of him.

It was a surprise that Edmunds not only signed with the Bears but signed so quickly after the free agency began. He was in high demand and some contenders wanted him to help them.

Instead, Edmunds decided to sign with a team that had one season with a winning record in the past decade.

Tremaine Edmunds isn’t concerned about the Chicago Bears’ recent defensive struggles. He is excited about helping turn things around.

This isn’t the first time Edmunds helps build a turnaround. He came over from the Buffalo Bills. Yes, their defense is a very good unit. However, when the Bills drafted him their defense wasn’t how it is today. They ranked 20th against the pass and 29th against the run.

Now Edmunds will be trying to help another defense turn things around.

Edmunds looks forward to the challenge he now faces. He understands the history of the franchise as having some of the toughest defensive units in NFL history. What he also understands is that winning and having a great defense in Chicago will make you a legend.

"I was just excited for the opportunity, man. I’m a guy, I like when the odds are against me, I like when the odds are against us. I feel like individuals make the best moves when you’re underestimated, and I wanted to go to a team where I could be part of a rebuild. I can be part of turning this thing around, man."

Edmunds knows the history of the middle linebacker spot with the Bears. Just think of names like Dick Butkus, Mike Singletary, and Brian Urlacher, to name a few.

This is a Bears defense that lost its swagger over the past few seasons. The 2022 season was a pretty low point. They ranked 17th against the pass, but last in the number of yards per pass attempt allowed. They had trouble getting to the quarterback. Opposing quarterbacks could stand in the pocket for way too long and eventually find an open receiver.

Against the run, they were downright awful. They ranked 31st in yards, 27th in rushing yards per carry, and dead last in rushing touchdowns allowed.

The talent is there to rebuild

It might not be a complete turnaround in one season, but there was a talent infusion. The building blocks are there.

In addition to Edmunds and Edwards, the Bears also have Jack Sanborn. The undrafted rookie from last season came roaring out of the gates last offseason. When the Bears traded Roquan Smith Sanborn took over and did a very good job. However, his season was cut short due to an injury.

Now Sanborn likely starts at strong-side linebacker.  That makes a pretty tough starting three.

Poles invested three draft picks to play on the defensive line. He feels that clogging up the middle will help resolve a lot of the struggles. There is still a need for a pass rusher but that comes later. For now, at least, Poles and the Bears feel the defense will put more pressure if the defensive tackles do their jobs.

In the secondary, the Bears have Jaylon Johnson, Kyler Gordon, and Kindle Vildor. They added Tyrique Stevenson and Terell Smith through the draft. Additionally, Eddie Jackson and Jaquan Brisker were a great duo together last season before Jackson suffered an injury that ended his season prematurely.

We could be seeing the beginning of a new era of Chicago Bears football. This season could be the beginning of the return of the elite defense that we are used to seeing. Edmunds will be a big part of the resurgence.