Analyzing the Bears Linebackers, Post-Hibernation

Chicago Bears Linebackers

TJ Edwards

Maybe it's hyperbolic, but I believe TJ Edwards may have been the best player on the Bears defense in 2023. The more tape I watch, the more convicted I feel in saying it. In the second half of the season, Edwards was everywhere on the field. Whether he was chasing down flat routes, disrupting passes over the middle, or filling run lanes like a freight train, one thing is certain, Edwards was a difference-maker for the Bears in 2023 and a repeat performance in 2024 should garner more accolades.

The instinctive linebacker found ways to make plays all the time. He may not be the biggest or fastest player at the position, but I would put his instincts against anyone in the league. Edwards has an uncanny feel for space in coverage, understanding how offenses will attack the coverage and float into areas that disrupt the route concepts. He also does a nice job baiting throws into his zone, leaving just enough space to recover and make plays on the football.

Against the run, his stocky build helps him stand up to blockers well enough to shed and make tackles. He is a downhill football player who fills run lanes quickly and with physicality. Moreover, Edwards has a strong understanding of blocking concepts against both the run and the pass, which aids him as both a run defender and a blitzer.

Tremaine Edmunds

Edmunds' stats were underwhelming relative to his contract. But this is a player who we knew would take time to adjust to a new scheme and new teammates. Early in the year, Edmunds looked a little bit lost at times. But as the season progressed, he became more confident in his spots, reads, and reactions. By the end of the year, he was far less inhibited in his reactions and allowed his instincts to take over more often.

He will likely never be an instinctive gamer like Edwards, but that was never his game. He offers a large, long, fast profile that eats up coverages in the middle of the field with athletic tools to limit offensive gains. A few explosive plays here and there go a long way to making him look good, but much of his value is based on taking away the middle of the field. When he was targeted, he didn't capitalize on it as often as you would like. But the play in coverage did improve as the season went along.

As a run defender, Edmunds leaves quite a bit to be desired. He is more likely to play around a blocker than through a blocker. Again, that was never his game. He will make some splashy run stops on occasion and will generally be where he is supposed to be, but he was paid for his ability to erase the middle of the field in coverage, not his ability to stack and shed.

I think we will see a more comfortable version of Edmunds off the bat in 2024, and that should result in a more evident impact in coverage. Additionally, I would like to see him cut down on the missed tackles. His range allows him to get in on plays, but he needs to be more consistent with his wrap-up technique to capitalize on the opportunities his athleticism creates.

Jack Sanborn

The fans have been clamoring for the Jack Sanborn statue to be built outside the new stadium already. Sanborn is an instinctual thumper in the mold of TJ Edwards. He has capitalized on his opportunities through the first two years of his NFL career, but he is blocked on the depth chart by the two starters who earn starting salaries.

The SAM role that Sanborn plays is likely the best spot for him to capitalize on his talents. In a league that is heavily focused on nickel coverages, the SAM backer is a part-time role in any defense. He is asked to play on running downs more often than passing downs and against heavier offensive personnel groupings. This allows his downhill style to shine and covers up some of his deficiencies in coverage.

Sanborn could earn an opportunity to replace Edmunds in a few years when his contract is up, but I think the more likely role for him would be to replace TJ Edwards at the WILL spot. His skill set is more suited to the downhill WILL role than the coverage-based MIKE role in this defense. But his instincts and knack for finding the football surely have a future in Chicago.

Other Linebackers

Aside from the top three linebackers, the Bears also roster Noah Sewell, Amen Ogbongbemiga, and Micah Baskerville. Sewell was a 5th-round pick in 2023 and fits the more downhill, thumper role. He played 3% of the Bears defensive snaps in 2023 and will likely be limited to a reserve role in 2024. He also contributed to the kick off, kick return, punt coverage, punt return, and field goal block teams.

Amen Ogbongbemiga is a free-agent addition brought on for his special teams contributions. In three seasons with the Chargers, Ogbongbemiga contributed to the kick off, kick return, punt coverage, punt return, and field goal block teams. He only played 131 defensive snaps over the last three seasons, 111 of which came in his rookie season.

Baskerville was an undrafted free agent last season who spent most of the season on the Bears practice squad. He did contribute on special teams in two games, but did not tally any defensive snaps. He profiles as more of a MIKE linebacker in this defense than the other players discussed. He is likely to get another year of development on the back end of the roster in 2024.