Chicago Bears linebacker T.J. Edwards is someone who hasn’t missed a lot of time throughout his NFL career. Before last season, he played in all 17 games for three straight years and filled up the stat sheet in each of those seasons.
The Chicago Bears' veteran linebacker averaged 147 total tackles in that timeframe. A hamstring injury and broken hand limited him to just 10 regular-season games. A fractured fibula against the Green Bay Packers in the wild-card round ended his 2025 season for good.
After recovering from that devastating injury, Edwards suffered a calf injury away from the facility that sidelined him for the start of training camp. He was eventually activated off the non-football injury list ahead of the team’s seventh training camp practice.
He gradually worked his way back into playing shape and built chemistry with his fellow linebackers. In the final preseason game against the Tennessee Titans, Edwards was one of the few starters who suited up.
T.J. Edwards used Bears' preseason finale as an reminder of what 2026 will look like
It was clear the veteran linebacker was a step ahead of the competition. Edwards, 29, made the first tackle of the game, limiting the Titans to just a one-yard gain on a play-action pass to the right flat.
Despite playing just two defensive drives, he finished third on the team with five total tackles in the 24-15 win over the Titans.
Edwards proved he’s ready for regular-season football, which is exactly what defensive coordinator Dennis Allen needs to have the best version of his unit with the Week 1 matchup against the Carolina Panthers approaching.
After the game, head coach Ben Johnson called Edwards “a vital part” of what the defense does, and he highlighted the veteran linebacker’s “command” and “presence” as some of his strongest attributes.
Edwards has one year of experience in Allen’s defense, and that will be beneficial for Devin Bush, who is in his first year with the Bears. With Edwards’ intelligence and Bush’s speed, those two can become a productive duo this season.
The Bears kept just four linebackers on their final 53-man roster, but that will likely change as general manager Ryan Poles continues to make moves. As of now, just Edwards, Bush, D'Marco Jackson and rookie Keyshaun Elliott make up the room, but it wouldn't be surprising to see Jack Sanborn return after he was released.
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As the unit stands today, the Bears desperately need Edwards to return to the productive and healthy player he was before the 2025 season. If Allen can get that type of return from Edwards, Chicago's defense becomes a more well-rounded team for the upcoming season.
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