The Chicago Bears made sure to leave their mark as they signed guard Nate Davis and linebacker duo Tremaine Edmunds and T.J. Edwards on Monday.
The NFL’s legal tampering period began at 11am CT (4pm GMT) on Monday. Ahead of free agency beginning, the NFL legal tampering period opens to allow teams to get a head start on negotiating with players as teams have the right to discuss ‘all aspects of an NFL player contract’ without actually signing a deal.
Nothing can be made official during the tampering period but both teams and players can agree deals before signing and confirming them once the new league year begins - and the Bears wasted no time in agreeing three huge deals. The biggest splash came in the form of Edmunds, who left the Buffalo Bills for the bears on a front-loaded four-year deal worth $72million with $50m guaranteed.
Edmunds will be just 25 when the 2023 season begins and he is a solid run defender who significantly improved in coverage last year. Edmunds totalled 102 tackles, including six for a loss, one sack, seven pass breakups and three quarterback hits with the Bills during the 2022 campaign.
The Bears also agreed to deals with former Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Edwards as well as Davis, who left the Titans, after Chicago entered free agency with more than $100m in salary cap space. Edwards signed on a three-year contract worth $19.5m, while Davis inked a three-year deal worth $30m.
With the additions of Edmunds and Edwards joining a promising second-year player in Jack Sanborn, the Bears have one of the best linebacker groups in the NFL. Meanwhile, the offensive line will be vastly improved by the acquisition of Davis as quarterback Justin Fields will be better protected in 2023.
The moves come after the franchise traded the number one overall pick in next month’s 2023 NFL Draft to the Carolina Panthers in return for the ninth overall pick, the 61st overall pick, a 2024 first-round selection and a 2025 second-round selection - as well as star receiver DJ Moore. The 25-year-old registered over 2,000 yards and 11 touchdowns in the last two seasons and is a new weapon for Fields and the Bears offence.
The signing of Edmunds is particularly intriguing given the Bears refused to pay Roquan Smith before trading him to the Baltimore Ravens, who committed to a five-year extension worth $100m. Smith’s $20m annual average salary is higher than the $18m annual deal awarded to Edmunds.
Ultimately, Chicago was able to afford Edwards and Edmunds for less total money than Smith received. It is undoubtedly an impressive move from Bears general manager Ryan Poles, who will continue to make moves and add to the roster.
