After spending three seasons with the Bears, linebacker Tremaine Edmunds is becoming a free agent.
Chicago is releasing Edmunds, 27, on Thursday, after it was initially speculated that the team could have flipped him, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported Thursday.
The move also will create $15 million in extra cap space for the Bears as free agency is set to start next week.
Edmunds was set to enter the final season of his contract after initially signing a four-year deal with the Bears worth $72 million during his first time in free agency in 2023.
On Feb. 25, the Bears allowed Edmunds to seek a trade or be at risk of becoming a cap casualty, ESPN previously reported.
“This is a unique situation where we’ve gotten our roster in a position where we have a lot of talented players, a lot of guys getting paid well, and that puts some constraints on the cap,” Bears general manager Ryan Poles said of Edmunds’ future during the NFL combine, according to ESPN. “So we got to make some tough decisions. And, you know, like I said, when we win games, you create these relationships.
“There’s leadership guys or guys that were captains that mean a lot to our organization. But when you’re kind of put in a corner, that’s what league’s been and has been.”
Edmunds’ contract has a base salary of $13.9 million for the 2026 season, along with a $1 million roster bonus, due on the fifth day of the league year.
The two-time Pro Bowler led Chicago with 112 tackles last season and recorded four interceptions, one sack and a fumble recovery in 13 games.
He missed four games because of a groin injury suffered during the Bears’ Week 11 win over the Vikings.
Edmunds’ expected release comes amid multiple moves for the Bears, as they sent off wide receiver DJ Moore and a 2026 fifth-round pick to the Bills in exchange for a 2026 second-round selection on Thursday.
On Tuesday, offensive lineman Drew Dalman told the team that he plans to retire after five seasons in the NFL, despite signing a three-year, $42 million deal with Chicago last offseason.
