Tremaine Edmunds was the biggest signing of the 2023 free agency period for the Chicago Bears. It's not hard to understand why. The 24-year-old is a freak of nature at 6'5 with long arms and 4.5 speed. He already made two Pro Bowls and still has room to grow as a player. He's a perfect fit for what Matt Eberflus wants at middle linebacker. The curious part is what motivated Edmunds to choose the Bears. Sure, the large contract probably played a significant factor in his motivation, but it's rarely just about the money.
Chicago is coming off one of its worst seasons in franchise history. It's clear they're in the middle of a full rebuild. One would think a veteran like Edmunds, who is used to constant trips to the playoffs from his time in Buffalo, would prefer to join a team poised for a deep run. He was asked about his decision on NFL Total Access. It was here that fans got a look inside the mind of Edmunds the person. This is a guy that doesn't believe in taking the easy way. He prefers a challenge.
It's getting easier to see why the Bears love Tremaine Edmunds.
His physical ability alone makes him worth the price. However, it is becoming apparent he brings so much more to the table as a leader. When a guy openly says he wants to go somewhere he could accelerate a rebuild, you know he's a different kind of person. The Bears knew they needed somebody like that in the middle of their defense. It was happy fortune that Buffalo chose to let him walk rather than reward what had been years of excellent play. Now Chicago stands to reap the benefits.
Reports out of OTAs and minicamps indicate Tremaine Edmunds has wasted no time taking command of the defense. He's making plays and becoming a vocal presence everybody listens to. When you have his ability and experience, that tends to happen. While he might not transform this unit overnight into a top 10 defense, there is no doubt his arrival makes them immediately better. With his personality setting the tone, the sense of urgency will be high from the outset.
