Could this new Bear be the catalyst for an improved defense?

The Chicago Bears have a history of dominance on the defensive side of the ball, often earning the group the name “Monsters of the Midway.” In recent years, however, the unit hasn’t exactly struck fear into the hearts of opponents. The defense has been searching for a catalyst to ignite that spark.

They may have found it. 

Linebacker Tremaine Edmunds, who signed with the team as a free agent in March, brings a unique combination of athleticism, instincts and leadership to a franchise that has been yearning for it. He is incredibly versatile and his size is a huge aspect of his game. When it was announced this week that Edmunds would serve as the team’s middle linebacker, position coach Dave Borgonzi explained that the reasoning behind the decision included Edmunds’ height advantage, as he stands at 6-foot-5:

“I think the biggest thing is having vision. Get over to see routes, but also see the quarterback. Ultimately, you want to take the ball away. When we have a chance to make a play, not just get a PBU (pass break-up), but you really want to get an interception.”

Having a player of that caliber in the middle of the defense can benefit the entire unit. In his Wednesday press conference, safety Jaquan Brisker gave glowing praise to the Pro Bowl linebacker: 

“With that much speed… we can let him do everything underneath and we’ve got everything over the top. So it makes us play deeper and sit back there and let him roam around… it just makes it easier for us to get our eyes back on the quarterback and just go get the ball.”

After struggling the two previous years, Edmunds stepped up his game in coverage last year. He was targeted 60 times, but only allowed 39 completions and no touchdowns. Edmunds was not merely brought to the team to make tackles and stop the run, but instead to be a multifaceted athlete who can help all around the field. 

If he continues to put up solid pass defending numbers to go with his superior athleticism, Chicago’s defense may see a huge increase in turnover opportunities. The group finished middle-of-the-pack last season with 23 total takeaways, but Edmunds’ presence in the middle should maximize turnover opportunities for both himself and his teammates.