Courtney CroninMar 5, 2026, 09:42 PM ETCloseCourtney Cronin joined ESPN in 2017, originally covering the Minnesota Vikings before switching to the Chicago Bears in 2022. Courtney is a frequent panelist on Around the Horn and host of Best Week Ever and GameNight on ESPN Radio. She also co-hosts The Chicago Bears Podcast on ESPN 1000. She previously worked at the San Jose Mercury News as a multimedia sports journalist.Follow on XMultiple Authors
Sources: Bears to release veteran LB Edmunds (0:57)Sources: Bears to release veteran LB Edmunds (0:57)
The Chicago Bears are releasing veteran linebacker Tremaine Edmunds, a source told ESPN’s Adam Schefter on Thursday.
Edmunds, 27, was set to enter the final season of the four-year, $72 million contract he signed as a free agent in 2023. Chicago granted Edmunds permission to seek a trade on Feb. 25, a source confirmed to ESPN, or be at risk of becoming a cap casualty.
Edmunds’ contract carries a $13.9 million base salary for 2026 with a $1 million roster bonus due on the fifth day of the league year. His cap hit is $17.9 million.
Edmunds led the Bears with 112 tackles last season to go along with nine passes defensed, four interceptions, one sack and a fumble recovery despite missing four games with a groin injury. He also tallied 13 tackles in Chicago’s two playoff games.
The Bears’ busy week continued Thursday night after the team sent wide receiver DJ Moore and a fifth-round pick to the Buffalo Bills for a 2026 second-rounder. That move came on the heels of center Drew Dalman’s surprise retirement Wednesday. The three moves create an estimated $44 million in cap space for the Bears.
Sources: Bears to release veteran LB Edmunds (0:57)Sources: Bears to release veteran LB Edmunds (0:57)
Courtney CroninMar 5, 2026, 09:42 PM ETCloseCourtney Cronin joined ESPN in 2017, originally covering the Minnesota Vikings before switching to the Chicago Bears in 2022. Courtney is a frequent panelist on Around the Horn and host of Best Week Ever and GameNight on ESPN Radio. She also co-hosts The Chicago Bears Podcast on ESPN 1000. She previously worked at the San Jose Mercury News as a multimedia sports journalist.Follow on XMultiple Authors
CloseCourtney Cronin joined ESPN in 2017, originally covering the Minnesota Vikings before switching to the Chicago Bears in 2022. Courtney is a frequent panelist on Around the Horn and host of Best Week Ever and GameNight on ESPN Radio. She also co-hosts The Chicago Bears Podcast on ESPN 1000. She previously worked at the San Jose Mercury News as a multimedia sports journalist.Follow on X
The move creates $15 million in cap space for the Bears days ahead of free agency.
Sources: Bears to release veteran LB Edmunds (0:57)