Combine week is the unofficial start of moving and shaking for an NFL offseason, and with that, the first domino of the Chicago Bears' offseason is ready to fall. On Wednesday, Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune reported that linebacker Tremaine Edmunds has been granted permission to seek a trade.
What the Bears can get in a trade for Edmunds is unclear, but within reason, they'd probably take whatever they can get. It's very possible he ends up being released, but coming off a second season with the Bears that was better than his first, he should have some level of trade value. Multiple teams could use a linebacker of his ilk.
Edmunds' time with the Bears is nearing an end; one way or another, it naturally leads to a conversation about how the Bears will replace him. D'Marco Jackson is an interesting internal option after doing well with his opportunity when Edmunds missed time last season, but he is also a free agent.
The draft provides a viable path to add an option to replace Edmunds at a lower cost than a free agent comes with.
Interesting draft prospect sounds destined to be a Chicago Bear
It's rare when a defensive player gets more than token Heisman Trophy votes. But Texas Tech linebacker Jacob Rodriguez was a finalist and finished fifth in the voting last year. He also became just the third player to ever win the Butkus, Bednarik, and Nagurski awards in the same season.
After a breakthrough season for the Red Raiders in 2024 (127 total tackles, five sacks, 10.5 tackles for loss, one interception, four pass breakups, three forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries), Rodriguez took it up a notch last season with 128 total tackles, 11 tackles for loss, four interceptions, one sack, a FBS-high seven forced fumbles, six pass breakups and two fumble recoveries.
According to NFL Research, Rodriguez was the first FBS player since at least 2005 to have seven or more forced fumbles and four or more interceptions in a season.
Speaking at the NFL Combine on Wednesday (via CHGO), Rodriguez confirmed he met with the Bears at the Senior Bowl and did so again this week. When asked how those meetings went, Rodriguez seems to envision a fit for himself in Chicago.
"They're great," Rodriguez said. "I think a lot of their core pillars as a team align with everything I believe in as well. I've had really good conversations with them."
Rodriguez was then asked how he had perfected forcing fumbles via the "Peanut Punch" move, named for former Bears' cornerback Charles Tillman. He added how he recently met Tillman at the place where he was doing some pre-draft training, and was looking forward to seeing the Bears' legend again in Indianapolis.
Read more: Ben Johnson makes feelings about Tyson Bagent absolutely clear amid trade rumors
The Bears have a notable legacy of taking the ball away and an even stronger legacy of legendary linebackers, both of which have been missing since Brian Urlacher retired. Rodriguez sounds like he'd like a chance to take the baton for both, and there's now a clear opening for him to do so.