The Chicago Bears‘ defense started as one of the worst in the NFL this season. After Matt Eberflus took over playcalling and Montez Sweat arrived via trade, they magically transformed into one of the best. After throttling the Detroit Lions last week, they carried that momentum into Cleveland, where the Browns got numerous tastes of how tough they are to play. Nobody found that out the hard way more than rookie receiver Cedric Tillman in the 3rd quarter. Joe Flacco tried to find him over the middle during a drive. Right as the ball arrived, linebacker TJ Edwards delivered one of the hardest and cleanest hits of the season.
The ball popped up and landed into the waiting hands of fellow linebacker Tremaine Edmunds. From there, he used his trademark speed to weave his way to a touchdown, giving the Bears a 14-7 lead.
Edwards and Edmunds have become an immediate impact duo since arriving this off-season. That was Edmunds’ third interception of the season and could prove the most important if the Bears hang on to win. It also speaks to the friendly rivalry the two have. It was reported they have a competition going to see who gets more takeaways. It will be funny to see who takes credit for that one.
TJ Edwards might be one of the steals of the decade.
While it hasn’t even been a full season yet, the guy has more than lived up to the $6.5 million they’re paying him this year. If anything, they got him at a ridiculous discount. GM Ryan Poles and head coach Matt Eberflus loved his leadership and intelligence, feeling he’d be a great fit for the crucial weakside linebacker spot in this defense. That scouting report was right on the money. Edwards is playing the best football of his career, which is saying something after his stellar 2022 season in Philadelphia.
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Edmunds got $18 million per year. People have tried to argue he got overpaid, but that argument gets a little quieter with each turnover he’s forced. He and TJ Edwards have completely transformed the Bears’ defense up front. They’re stellar against the run and keep making live difficult when QBs try throwing over the middle. This is exactly what Poles and Eberflus envisioned when they were brought together. It is so exciting to see things work as intended.
