Grading the Chicago Bears: The Linebackers
Grading out a group that was better than it seemed
Although the Chicago Bears lost many games in 2024, the team’s defense was not overly terrible. At least at times they had their moments. At times the unit wasn’t all that bad.
Enter the linebackers. We have been studying every other position on defense and handing out grades for each of the units on that side of the ball. In this post, we will look at the linebacker group, the last of the defensive units to grade. We will see where each player on that unit stands. We will analyze what they did in 2024, what their offseason might look like, and whether they will be back in 2025.
Tremaine Edmunds
Of this linebacker group, there might not be any bigger disappointment than Tremaine Edmunds. For the money that they are paying him ($17,437,500 according to Over the Cap.com), the Bears are not getting their money’s worth. Looking at the numbers from last year he played in and started in all 17 games, which was a good thing. He registered a total of 110 tackles including 50 solo and 60 assisted. Edmunds had one sack and three quarterback hits in the pass-rushing area of his position. The knock on Edmunds is that he struggles to make tackles in the open field and gets eaten up by blockers easily.
There is a lot to say about Edmunds. The Bears could cut him and take a significant cap hit or they could let him ride it out one more season and see how he does. He’s not quite what they expected but the 27-year-old could find a home in Dennis Allen’s defense. Maybe he will excel in a new scheme.
T.J. Edwards
One guy that seems to do well for the Bears is T.J. Edwards. Edwards plays hard game in and game out and is all over the field. In 2024, the 28-year-old played in and started in all 17 games. He recorded a total of 129 tackles with 79 of those solo and 50 assisted. Edwards also managed to get four sacks and six quarterback hits. There has been talk of the Bears cutting him to save some cap space. Currently, Edwards is signed through the 2025 season and would leave $1,500,000 in dead cap money. The other thing is, why would you cut the guy who is arguably the best linebacker on the team? I wouldn’t look for Edwards to be going anywhere in 2025. He might even play himself into an extension at some point.
Amen Ogbongbemiga
Amen Ogbongbemiga, a 26-year-old four-year veteran is someone that the Bears will look at this offseason. In 2024, Ogbongbemiga played in all 17 games but didn’t have any starts. He had 13 total tackles with seven solo and six assists. He also had one sack, and one quarterback hit. Ogbongbemiga’s contract is done with the Bears, and he is now an unrestricted free agent. The Bears may want to consider bringing him back if they feel that he fits into new defensive coordinator Dennis Allen’s system.
Jack Sanborn
Jack Sanborn, a 24-year-old three-year veteran who has spent his entire career in Chicago, will be a restricted free agent this offseason. He could end up leaving the Bears for another team. Last season, Sanborn played in each of the team’s 17 games with three starts. He managed to have 35 tackles with 17 solo and 18 assisted. He recorded one and a half sacks to go along with two quarterback hits. Will the Bears bring Sanborn back? That is the big question. If there isn’t anyone else out that appeals to them, you might see Sanborn back on a one-year deal. Let’s see what the market is for him with other teams and, if he can’t find a home in another spot, he just might find himself back in Chicago.
Noah Sewell
Noah Sewell is a guy who is a bit of an interesting prospect for the Chicago Bears. The almost 23-year-old two-year veteran played in nine games for the Bears in 2024 with no starts. He recorded a total of four tackles with three solo and one assisted. Swell will get another shot at sticking with the Bears in 2025 as he is signed through the 2026 season. Look for the team to retain him and for him to figure a little more on defense in the future.
Swayze Bozeman
The last player that the Bears have at linebacker, on their current roster, was just picked up recently from the Kansas City Chiefs. Swayze Bozeman, a one-year veteran who is 26 years old, played three games with the Chiefs getting just three total tackles. The Bears have signed Bozeman to a small one-year contract and he’ll have to prove himself to stick around. Look for him to get a shot as a special teams player and make the roster doing that and backing up at linebacker.
Grade: B-
Overall, the Bears linebackers had a mixed season. The two primary starters, Edmunds and Edwards were hot (Edwards) and cold (Edmunds). Their play might have canceled one another out. Knowing this, and seeing how things went in 2024, the overall grade for the Bears linebackers was a B-.
Look for the Bears to bring in some additional help at linebacker, especially with the change in scheme that is going to take place. Additional depth will make this a much more robust position.
