Could T.J. Edwards' Playmaking Garner Support for Pro Bowl?

It seemed an obvious omission earlier this week when an NFL.com article about projected first-time Pro Bowl players left Jaylon Johnson's name off the list.

Still, there were a few reasons this could happen.

Another ommission at least as obvious, if not more, is T.J. Edwards.

The Bears weakside linebacker has been the league tackles leader at times this season and currently ranks third with 127, behind leader Foyesade Oluokun and Zaire Franklin. More important to the scheme, he has been a big-play maker with two interceptions, a forced fumble and fumble recovery.

"Yeah, I mean, obviously, first couple of games and a new scheme and things like that you're still trying to get your feet wet and I think you can say that for a lot of our guys," Edwards said. "But I think just the general rise of our team is guys just going out there and just putting it on the line man.

"There's no holding back anything and I think as linebackers you always want to be around the ball no matter where it is, whether it's near the sideline or in the middle of the field or run-pass, you always want to get to the ball. And I think that's something I pride myself on."

The Philadelphia Eagles can't be too happy about not having Edwards around this year. They replaced him in their defense at middle linebacker with former Bears linebacker Nick Morrow, and now have signed released Colts veteran Shaq Leonard, whose two back surgeries preceded a drastic decline in productivity.

Edwards' second interception of this season was an example of what he's talking about by being in the right place by being around the ball.

"Like the Minnesota game, Jaylon Johnson makes a great play and swats the ball up in the air and sometimes you've just got to be in the right spot trying to get to the ball and good things will happen," said Edwards, who caught it for the third interception of the game.

The tackles don't mean as much to him as being near the ball or on it to make plays like he has with interceptions in the last two games.

"So whether that's run or pass, trying to get to the ball as best as we can, and yeah, I mean if the tackle's there that's awesome," he said. "I want to make those impact plays to help the team but definitely know my body's been feeling the tackles. That's for sure. But it's been good."

Edwards isn't alone in this regard, so possibly the bye week came at a good time for the Bears defense.

"Honestly, I don't know. I have no idea," he said of so late a bye. "But I didn't mind this one at all. I think we played a lot of games and good to give your body a break for a second. Kind of relax and then you know what you're walking into when you come back, so it was good."

Edwards is already at a career high for interceptions and needs 23 total tackles to top last year's 159 made for the Eagles in a Super Bowl season.

He wouldn't be surprised to see more interceptions coming by virtue of a better pass rush resulting from Montez Sweat or "the Sweat Effect," as coach Matt Eberflus calls it.

"I mean he's everything you thought he was, for sure," Edwards said of Sweat." And like I said, I've seen him for four years before this and I already knew what type of player he is and dynamic piece he brings.

"But honestly, I think having him, having the (opposing) offense just kind of have to maybe lean some more things (blocking-wise) towards him it's helping our whole unit. And you know maybe last week we were able to a little more rush and cover and things like that and they were getting pressure easy. It was definitely something good to see. And our think our back end is doing a good job of holding up and making the quarterback hold the ball for a second."

Edwards' skills have been key in the Bears defense rising to 11th in the league overall, third in interceptions (13), all while maintaining the top ranking against the run.

His contribution has gone beyond the statistics and the plays he makes, to leadership and even sportsmanship. He was named the team's nominee for the Art Rooney Sportsmanship Award.

"How he carries himself and how that ripple effects throughout the whole defense and the whole team," linebackers coach Dave Borgonzi said of the ways Edwards impacts the defense. "So, he's been super productive on the field and he's been a great character guy for us in the building."

The question from now over the next few weeks is whether voters for the Pro Bowl will see these things or just automatically plug in the same old linebackers for honors.