Sources: Bears to release veteran linebacker Tremaine Edmunds

Chicago Bears Releasing the veteran linebacker tremaine edmondsa source told ESPN’s Adam Schefter on Thursday.

The move creates $15 million in cap space for the Bears just days before free agency.

Edmunds, 27, was set to enter the final season of the four-year, $72 million contract he signed as a free agent in 2023. Chicago granted permission to trade Edmunds on February 25, a source confirmed to ESPN, otherwise risking being a cap casualty.

Edmunds’ contract includes a base salary of $13.9 million for 2026 with a $1 million roster bonus payable on the fifth day of the league year. His cap hit is $17.9 million.

When asked about Edmunds’ future, general manager Ryan Poles said at the NFL Combine, “It’s a unique situation where we’ve put our roster in a position where we have a lot of talented players, a lot of guys getting paid well, and that creates some constraints on the cap.” “So we had to make some tough decisions. And, you know, like I said, when we win games, you build these relationships. There are leadership guys or guys who were captains that mean a lot to our organization. But when you’re kind of put in a corner, that’s what this league has been and has been.”

Edmunds led the Bears with 112 tackles last season, including nine passes defensed, four interceptions, one sack and one fumble recovery, despite missing four games due to a groin injury. He also made 13 tackles in Chicago’s two playoff games.

The Bears’ busy week continued Thursday night after the team sent down wide receiver dj moore and fifth round selection buffalo bill For a 2026 second-rounder. The move comes on the heels of center Drew Dallman’s surprise retirement on Wednesday. These three moves create an estimated $44 million in cap space for the Bears.