No one has been as active throughout day one of the legal tampering period than Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Poles.
After already agreeing to terms with inside linebacker T.J. Edwards, the Bears general manager acquired one of the biggest names on the market by landing former Bills linebacker Tremaine Edmunds.
The Bears are giving the former first-round pick a four-year, $72 million deal with $50 million in guaranteed money. It is the largest four-year contract for an inside linebacker in the NFL, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Albert Breer broke it down further, where it’s a front-loaded contract. Edmunds will make $42 million over the first two years, including $22 million in 2023. He’ll earn $8.2 million in 2025. Edmunds is also due a $9.7 million signing bonus.
New Bears LB Tremaine Edmunds' four-year, $72 million deal includes …
• A $9.75 million signing bonus.
• $22 million in '23.
• $42 million over the first two years.
• $8.2 million of '25 base vesting in March '24.— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) March 13, 2023
The Bears ranked 31st in the NFL in total rushing defense in 2022. Their 31 touchdowns allowed via the run game were the most in the NFL, as were their 151 first downs allowed on the ground.
Edmunds has totaled over 100 tackles in each of his five NFL seasons. The two-time Pro Bowler joins former Eagles linebacker T.J. Edwards to make up the middle of the Bears defense.
