The Chicago Bears wasted no time making a big move during the legal tampering period on Monday, reportedly coming to terms with T.J. Edwards, a former linebacker for the Philadelphia Eagles. Edwards is a native of Lindenhurst, Illinois, where he attended Lakes High School, where he excelled as a quarterback. At the University of Wisconsin, he switched to defense and was named to the First-team All-Big Ten Team twice. Edwards joined the Eagles in 2019 as an undrafted free agent and played in all 16 games as a rookie, starting in four of them.
The deal, worth $19.5 million over three years with $12 million guaranteed, secures the services of a top free-agent linebacker who had 159 tackles, including 10 tackles for loss, two sacks, and seven pass breakups in 2022.
In the last three years, Edwards has started 43 out of the 45 games he played in, and in 2022, he had his best statistical season yet, with 159 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, seven passes defended, a fumble recovery, and two sacks.
Although he can play any of the Bears’ linebacker positions, most of his time with the Eagles was spent in the middle. Edwards is 26 years old, weighs 242 pounds, and has the skill set to contribute significantly to the Bears’ linebacker corps.
