The Chicago Bears’ defense is in need of some pass rush help, but there’s a real chance the linebacker corps receives the biggest makeover on the roster. One player has already been cut, another seems likely, and a third suffered a serious injury two months ago.
Here’s how the Bears are currently set in their linebacker room.
Tremaine Edmunds – Signed through 2026 – It seems like releasing Edwards is the free bingo square for everyone’s mock Bears offseason. Letting him go saves $15 million, and while he’s been a productive player for the Bears, he’s not $15M productive. Perhaps he’s at a place in his career where he wants to be a part of a winner, and he’ll be open to a re-worked deal. But my guess is Edmunds has played his last snap in Chicago.
T.J. Edwards – Signed through 2027 – The Bears extended Edwards last year, which all but guarantees his return, but he’ll need to bounce back after a down season. He missed seven games and failed to hit the 100-tackle mark for the first time since 2020. If he’s healthy, his leadership and experience will be a benefit, but he’ll turn 30 this summer, so the Bears better have a solid backup plan in place.
Ruben Hyppolite II – Signed through 2028 – Hyppolite was the one 2025 draft pick that everyone scratched their head over, and his rookie season featured more games missed (10) than tackles (6).
Noah Sewell – Signed through 2026 – A December Achilles injury robbed him of the last few weeks of what was his most productive season. In 13 games (9 starts), Sewell had 59 tackles, 3 tackles for loss, and a forced fumble. But now his 2026 season is in jeopardy due to the severity of his injury.
Nephi Sewell – Signed through 2026 – I suggested the Bears pick up Nephi in last year’s Roster Turnover article due to his familiarity with Dennis Allen’s defense, and while he remained on New Orleans practice squad most of the 2025 season, the Bears signed him to their practice squad for the playoffs. He’s back in Chicago on a reserve/futures contract.
Jalen Reeves-Maybin – Free agent – The 31-year-old Reeves-Maybin spent some of last year on the Bears’ practice squad, and he also appeared in three regular-season games and both playoff games.
Amen Ogbongbemiga – Released on February 19 – Amen had been a core special teamer, and last year, he was even called on to play some defense. The Bears saved about $2 million by cutting him, but they’ll need to either add a guy to replace his third-phase reps or hope the speedy Hyppolite can do it.
D’Marco Jackson – Free agent – In 16 games (4 starts), he had 43 tackles, 2 TFL, a sack, an interception, 3 passes defended, and a fumble recovery. He also looked like Chicago’s best coverage linebacker when he was out there.
2026 OUTLOOK – If Edmunds is cut as expected, that leaves just Edwards as a returning starter, so re-signing the 27-year-old Jackson should be a no-brainer. He won’t break the bank, and he can play all three spots plus special teams. Spotrac has him with a $1.2M valuation, while Over the Cap has him at around $3.8M. A two or three-year deal in the $3M ballpark should get it done.
Noah Sewell likely won’t be ready for the season, and Hyppolite wasn’t good enough to dress for most games.
We’ll find out how much they believe Hyppolite can earn a special teams role if they go back to the draft for a linebacker.
There’s been some buzz about the Bears signing 37-year-old Demario Davis, who is coming off a career-best 143 tackles, and made All-Pro from 2019 to 2023 under Dennis Allen with the Saints. If he’s chasing a ring at this point in his career, then the Bears — yes, the Bears! — are as good a fit as any.
Kansas City Chiefs free agent Leo Chenel is a freakish athlete whose best football may be ahead of him.
What do you think the Bears will do at linebacker?