Bold prediction has Bears pivoting to downgrade from likely offseason departure

As the offseason gets rolling for the Chicago Bears, tough decisions will be made. Some names have risen to the top of the conversation in that regard, as candidates to be cut or traded. But one player currently stands a notch above the rest in that regard.

Based on a lack of guaranteed money left in his contract and being able to clear most of his cap hit off the books, linebacker Tremaine Edmunds has become easy to see as an offseason departure for the Bears. He missed four games last season, but he had a good season, making a more noticeable impact in Dennis Allen's defensive scheme.

Of course, any idea of parting with Edmunds has to come with a plan to replace him. Ties to the coaching staff can reveal some exploitable options there.

Bears downgrade from Tremaine Edmunds in bold offseason prediction

Conor Orr of SI.com has offered a new bold offseason prediction for each team. One of his predictions concerns the Bears replacing Edmunds.

"The Saints are going to trade Pete Werner to the Bears"

"With Chicago looking to move on from Tremaine Edmunds, the Bears will use a late-round pick to pair a Dennis Allen favorite with a defense in need of quality run support."

Werner has spent his entire five-year career with the New Orleans Saints, where Bears defensive coordinator Dennis Allen, of course, was for a long time before last season.

Werner has been a solid producer, with at least 80 total tackles in each of the last four seasons. Last season, he set career-highs in sacks (two) and pass breakups (five).

However, the new coaching staff in New Orleans notably reduced Warner's role last season. He played in all 17 games, starting 15, but he actually played more defensive snaps over four fewer games during the 2024 season. And by many measures, which is faint praise in some areas (see Pro Football Focus grades), Edmunds was better than him last season.

The Bears' run defense does need to be bolstered, and Werner could be a fit in that regard. But it's hard to see the former second-round pick as an upgrade from Edmunds, and he's not even the best potential replacement option for Edmunds with a past tie to Allen.

If the Bears are going to move on from Edmunds, and if it makes sense, it'll probably happen; the replacement plan needs to be better than Werner.