The Chicago Bears made linebacker Tremaine Edmunds the crown jewel of their 2023 free agency work. It isn’t a huge surprise. GM Ryan Poles and head coach Matt Eberflus constantly talk about finding players with special ability. There is no question the two-time Pro Bowler has that. There aren’t many 6’5 linebackers who have 4.5 speed in the NFL. He has a chance to fill the critical Brian Urlacher role in Eberflus’ defense. He can run, tackle, create turnovers, and get the defense lined up properly pre-snap. The scary part is he’s still only 24 years old.
However, Edmunds isn’t dumb. He knows his success depends on how much help he gets from his teammates. He sees tons of potential in the new group he’s joined in Chicago. Guys like Jaquan Brisker, Eddie Jackson, and Justin Jones have already caught his attention. There is another name that might not be getting enough recognition for what he can bring to this defense. That is Andrew Billings. The Bears signed the veteran defensive tackle in March after a solid stint in Las Vegas. Edmunds thinks he brings way more to the table than people realize.
Billings can be a huge help to Tremaine Edmunds.
One of the primary responsibilities of a good nose tackle is eating up multiple blockers with their size and strength. That keeps offensive linemen from reaching the second level to pick off linebackers. Without having to worry about that, guys like Edmunds are able to get a free run to the ball carrier for a tackle for loss or stop for no gain. Billings should be an immediate help to the Bears’ porous run defense. He also should make for a great mentor to rookie 2nd round pick Gervon Dexter on how to be a professional.
One thing is for sure. The Bears’ investments in the defensive line should be an immediate help to Tremaine Edmunds. They got bigger and strong in the middle. When that happens, middle linebackers tend to thrive. It isn’t a coincidence Urlacher had some of his best seasons when Chicago added Tommie Harris and Tank Johnson in the mid-2000s. Poles and Eberflus likely hope Billings and Dexter will do the same for Edmunds. This season should be much better at stopping the run on defense.
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Bears Edmunds should be elite addition to bears
Agree, I have liked the Billings addition since it happened. Large man in the middle to eat up 2 blockers
Underrated signing…
We might mess around and be good this year(, even on defense…)
Minimum should be Strong against the run(, nice change)
And strong on coverage…
Not that crazy that somebody shines on the edge now that we don’t just have a bunch of UDFAs and only a strong secondary… kind of doubt we sign/trade for another edge anytime soon.
Think they want to see what it looks like with group they got first…
I have a TON of HOPE for this season.
re: ‘this season should be much better…’ sorry can’t be MUCH worse. (don’t vote me DOWN for being realistic. Check my other posts I’m usually very optimistic and positive but that statement just made me think… can’t get much worse)
know what I mean?
Urlachers beat years were behind Keith Traylor and Ted Washington
PERIOD