The Bears have taken heavy hits on offense this week, with both Rome Odunze and Luther Burden ruled out. But as Saturday night’s rematch with the Green Bay Packers looms, the biggest news comes on defense…
The Chicago Bears have activated linebacker Tremaine Edmunds off injured reserve just in time for the NFC North showdown at Soldier Field. Edmunds, who has been sidelined since Nov. 22 with a groin injury, is on track to suit up for what is easily Chicago’s most consequential game of the season.
The #Bears have activated LB Tremaine Edmunds
Edmunds’ return represents a major shift for a Bears defense that has had to improvise for weeks. He was placed on IR after playing some of the best football of his career, and his absence forced coordinator Dennis Allen to reshuffle a linebacker group that, at times, was missing all three starters.
Head coach Ben Johnson didn’t mince words when discussing what Edmunds brings back to the lineup.
“He was playing tremendous football before the injury,” Johnson said. “He is a huge asset in coverage just because of how long he is. It’s hard to get the ball around him when we’re playing zone.”
Edmunds’ length and athleticism have been difference-makers this season. Before getting hurt, he had already recorded four interceptions and nine passes defensed. Only five NFL players had more interceptions at the time of his injury.
While D’Marco Jackson filled in admirably (earning NFC Defensive Player of the Week honors last week), there’s no replacing what Edmunds does within the structure of the defense.
The Linebacker Shift That’s Made Tremaine Edmunds a Game-Changer
GettyBears Linebacker Tremaine Edmunds
While Edmunds had been locked into the middle linebacker role he played for most of his career (including under Matt Eberflus), the Chicago Bears have moved him to weakside linebacker this year, allowing him to play faster, closer to the ball, and more aggressively in coverage and as a blitzer.
The shift wasn’t always comfortable (especially early on), but it has paid dividends.
“There was a comfort level with Tremaine being at Mike, that’s just where he had been his entire career,” Johnson said. “Yet we said in the springtime, his best spot might be at that Will linebacker position. I think that’s kind of come to light for us as we’ve gone through the season.”
A Defense Finally Getting Healthy
GettyBears Linebacker Tremaine Edmunds
To make matters better, for the first time in weeks, the Bears’ linebacker room is close to full strength. Edmunds, T.J. Edwards, and Noah Sewell have all practiced together, something that has happened in only four games this season.
Now the Bears aren’t suddenly healthy everywhere. Defensive end Dayo Odeyingbo and slot corner Kyler Gordon remain out, and the offense will be forced to adjust without two key receivers. But getting Tremaine Edmunds back changes the tone of this matchup.
If the Bears are going to flip the script against Green Bay and keep their playoff hopes alive, getting Tremaine Edmunds back on the field might be the turning point. Cause the Bears are getting their defensive backbone back at the exact moment this season demands it.
Bears Get Major Tremaine Edmunds News Just in Time for Packers Rematch