The One Free Agent Name That Screams Chicago Bears

The Chicago Bears don't plan to go hog wild in free agency this year. However, GM Ryan Poles will be spending some money. He has more than anybody else by a large margin. He can take two or three big swings and still have more than plenty left over for the future. The obvious question is which players he will target. Recent rumblings suggest the Bears will focus on the trenches, particularly right tackle and defensive tackle. Neither is a surprise. That said, there is one other position to watch: linebacker.

Chicago was painfully thin in that area after the Roquan Smith trade. Poles and head coach Matt Eberflus may look to completely revamp it. There are some intriguing names available too. Bobby Okereke is an obvious one, having played under Eberflus in Indianapolis. There is also T.J. Edwards, fresh off a career year in Philadelphia. Don't forget Leighton Vander Esch, who had a bounceback season after some injury setbacks. All of them would be good fits in Chicago.

However, the name that people should really be paying attention to is Tremaine Edmunds. The two-time Pro Bowler has not inked an extension with the Buffalo Bills, and it doesn't sound like they plan to franchise tag him either. From the way he spoke in a recent interview, it doesn't sound likely he will return.

"I'm gonna let the process take shape," Edmunds told FOX Sports last week in Phoenix at an event for his agency, Athletes First. "You know what I mean? Like, you know, they've been good to me. So I definitely say thank you to the Bills for everything that they've done for me these last five years. But like I said, man, I'm just right now — I'm in the backseat."

Everything about Edmunds fits the Chicago Bears.

Remember what Eberflus said. He liked long athletes. The former 1st round pick is the epitome of that prototype at 6'5, 250 lbs and 34-inch arms. His freakish speed allows him to cover tons of ground, and he is physical too. He would give Bears fans instant Brian Urlacher flashbacks. While maybe not the same once-in-a-generation mind, the Bills don't field the #1 and #2 scoring defenses the past two years without Edmunds. He would be a massive addition to that front seven.

Such an idea conflicts with the recent ascent of undrafted rookie Jack Sanborn. He looked like a quality find at middle linebacker last season before an injury ended his season. What the Chicago Bears think of him will determine whether they are willing to throw significant money at Edmunds. Current projections have him commanding around $17.5 million per year. That is a lot. Still, he turns 25 years old this season. He fits the Bears' rebuild timeline and is the type of physical specimen they covet. It seems like a perfect match.