Chicago Bears linebacker T.J. Edwards is rehabbing a fractured fibula and aiming for a strong return this summer to silence any of his doubters.
Just 12 snaps into the Chicago Bears wild-card matchup against the Green Bay Packers, and T.J. Edwards' night ended.
While the veteran linebacker dropped into coverage, his left foot landed on top of Packers wide receiver Christian Watson's foot, and Edwards ankle gave out. Edwards needed assistance to get off the field and was taken into the locker room on a cart.
A fractured fibula ended Edwards' biggest game in a Bears uniform and his 2025 season. His teammates and coaches came back from an 18-point deficit in the fourth quarter to defeat the Packers, 31-27.
"I was in the locker room," Edwards said at Halas Hall on Tuesday. "I wasn't leaving. I had to watch and I got to celebrate with the guys hopping around, which is probably not what I should have been doing (laughter). Just excited to, to be a part of it. Because in this city, there's nothing better when the Bears are winning. I feel like we gave it all this year, this past year, to be in those type games. Really happy to see it pay off and now it's taking that next step and prove everyone wrong again."
That next step for Edwards will be working his way back onto the football field, and so far, the Bears' linebacker is pleased with his progress.
"It's going really well," Edwards said. "I feel great. It puts some things in perspective. When it first initially happened, I just thought I just rolled my ankle and then realized it was not that. But I feel great working really hard every day. I feel like I'm in a really good spot, come summertime to be ready to go out there with my teammates and things like that. But right now, just doing what I can to stay in it. It's great to have everyone back here. There's some cold days in Halas Hall in March when you're doing rehab and stuff. To get everyone back in the building is awesome."
Edwards mentioned summertime as a possible return, but he didn't want to put an exact date.
His 2025 season was impacted by a series of injuries, limiting him to just 10 regular-season games. He played in all 17 games the previous three seasons. Even though his last season was cut short, he remained confident he could return to his old self this year
“I feel like there's always been doubt," Edwards said. "I've been doubted my entire career and that's just fine with me. I feel like I thrive in that light to be honest with you. That's how it was my first couple years in the league. Then sustaining that is what I strive for. There's always going to be (doubt), getting older, that type thing. All those things that I don't really pay much attention to. I know what I'm capable of, I know the player I am and what I bring to a team. Really the focus on me is just being the best teammate I can be and when I get back on the field doing what I do.”
The Bears started the offseason workout program on Monday and returned to Halas Hall. On Tuesday, the Bears announced that Edwards won the Brian Piccolo Award for the third consecutive year.
Every year Bears players vote for a rookie and veteran who demonstrate courage, loyalty, teamwork, dedication and sense of humor of Piccolo. This award is not something Edwards takes lightly.
"It's crazy," Edwards said. "I play this game – why I fell in love with this game was just the respect of my peers and the respect of my teammates. To get something that is solely based on what your teammates think of you, it's incredible. I just try to try to be myself and try to talk to everyone because it's nice to come into work when you actually know and care for the people around you. That's the kind of place that's been built here. It's pretty easy to just come in and be yourself. But yeah, it is cool. A lot of the guys had jokes about it and stuff, but it's honor for sure."
Edwards has earned the respect from his teammates, and the veteran linebacker is focused on making a full recovery so he can help his team continue its winning ways this upcoming season.