Belief Inside NFL Is TJ Edwards Will Have A Big Rebound Year

GM Ryan Poles has had some rough free agency acquisitions while running the Chicago Bears. However, he's also had some excellent ones. If one were to pinpoint his best, it would have to be TJ Edwards. Many people weren't sure what to expect from the former undrafted free agent. He'd had a good run with the Philadelphia Eagles, but a great front might've aided him. Could he replicate that success in Chicago? The short answer is yes. In two seasons with the Bears, he has 284 tackles, 6.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, and four interceptions.

Yet, from what many fans say, he was a total liability last season. It isn't easy to understand why. Sure, his impact plays were slightly down compared to 2023, but that was true of every defender across the board. He didn't miss a game and was still a key presence on the field. If you don't trust your own eyes, trust the people inside the league. Jeff Hughes of Da Bears Blog asked about Edwards and if his recent extension was worth the money Chicago paid. There was no waffling on that answer.

Is T.J. Edwards worth the money? "Yes. One thing that fans discount too often is the 'quarterback of defense' stuff. That guy is so damn important. I know he's not the green dot but that doesn't matter. He's the orchestrator. And I expect big things from him behind this new front."

TJ Edwards is at his best when the defensive line controls the action.

That wasn't the case last year. Montez Sweat struggled in the second half of the season, and things were made so much worse when Andrew Billings tore his pectoral. Without him, offensive lines found it far easier to reach the second level, picking off TJ Edwards and the other linebackers. That won't be nearly the cakewalk it was anymore. Billings is back. Sweat is healthy, and both are joined by significant reinforcements headlined by Grady Jarrett, Dayo Odeyingbo, and Shemar Turner. If that trio makes immediate contributions, Edwards will be free to fly around the field, making life miserable for ball carriers. He's only 28 years old. There is no reason to think he is approaching a career cliff. The Bears certainly don't.