If a player can get on his coach’s good side during the early stages of training camp, it can go a long way in being a critical part of the roster. Chicago Bears defensive coordinator Dennis Allen is already there with one of his veterans.
ESPN Bears beat reporter Courtney Cronin shared her report of day one of training camp, where linebacker Tremaine Edmunds made a great play on defense with an interception on quarterback Caleb Williams. That led to some nice praise from his coach.
“Linebacker Tremaine Edmunds picked off Williams on the first play of the first 11-on-11 drill. Defensive coordinator Dennis Allen remarked that he anticipates Edmunds being an "exceptional" playmaker for the Bears.”
High praise towards a player that needs to step up
This offseason, a lot has been made of the linebacker room, specifically regarding Edmunds and T.J. Edwards. Edmunds and Edwards were still the top tacklers on the Bears in 2024, but their performances were left much to be desired.
Edmunds was more disappointing as the Bears have been waiting for the former two-time Pro Bowler to step up and make some plays, but it just hasn’t come. Despite 100+ tackle seasons in both years he’s been in the Windy City, Edmunds has only racked up eight tackles for loss in 32 games.
That shows that he’s not being as efficient in stopping runners behind the line of scrimmage. Runners are going across the line and gaining yards, which defeats the purpose of what linebackers are supposed to do.
This shouldn’t be taken as Edmunds is a bad linebacker because far from it. Allen said it best by calling him “exceptional,” but he hasn’t played at the level that he was when he was in the Pro Bowl early in his career with the Buffalo Bills.
There is some thought that if Edmunds and Edwards can’t elevate their play during the 2025 season, changes could be made to bring in younger players. Edmunds is getting his compliments from his coach at the right time.
Read more: Day one of Bears training camp and Dennis Allen already sent a warning shot
More comments like that, and it could be a special season for Edmunds, and the Bears can get out of the cellar of the NFC North.