Chicago faces a tough cap decision. Unlocking $15 million by trading Tremaine Edmunds yields better returns than simply releasing him.
Given the cap situation the Chicago Bears faced entering this offseason, tough decisions were always going to have to be made.
The Bears have already released linebacker Amen Ogbongbemiga, freeing up over $2 million. There is also the reality that players like D'Andre Swift and D.J. Moore could be traded to get their contracts off the books and free up cap space.
If Swift is traded or cut before June 1st, then the Bears would save just over $7 million. However, if Moore is traded before then, the team would save $16 million. (Via Over The Cap)
The Bears find themselves in another interesting situation with linebacker Tremaine Edmunds. Edmunds was granted permission to seek a trade by the Bears on Wednesday, via NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.
The Bears could do one of two things with the linebacker now that he's allowed to leave the franchise via a trade.
There is the option of just releasing him and letting him test free agency, or the Bears could trade him and pick his next destination. Regardless of what the franchise decides to do, getting rid of Edmunds is going to free up $15 million in cap space either way.
He is on a four-year, $72 million deal with the Bears that won't make him a free agent until 2027. Edmunds is 27 and still in the prime of his career.
After missing multiple games due to injury, Edmunds still led the team with 112 total tackles. He also had four interceptions, one sack, one forced fumble and three TFLs.
He started his career with the Buffalo Bills in 2018. He played there until 2022, then joined the Bears in 2023.
Losing the two-time Pro Bowler will create needs at almost every level of the defense, but it's a necessary one in order for the team to have more spending money in free agency.
Chicago already had the contracts of Kevin Byard and Jaquan Brisker expire. Then, there is the uncertainty surrounding the return of T.J. Edwards from injury. He suffered a fractured fibula in the Wild Card win over the Green Bay Packers.
The blow will definitely be softened if the Bears can get some decent draft compensation from a trade for Edmunds.
When it comes to Edmunds, the Bears are going to look at all avenues of getting his contract off the books. General Manager Ryan Poles will make sure he does his homework.