JUST IN:Bears Linebacker Duo Listed Among Notable NFC Cut Candidates Ahead of 2025 Free Agency
The NFL landscape is constantly evolving, with teams making key decisions about their rosters every offseason. As the 2025 free agency period approaches, the Chicago Bears are facing a crucial set of decisions regarding their roster, particularly with respect to their linebacker unit. The Bears, who are in the midst of a rebuild, will need to make difficult choices regarding their personnel to create cap flexibility and ensure a more competitive future. Among the notable cut candidates, the duo of Bears linebackers, Roquan Smith and T.J. Edwards, have found themselves on the radar of experts analyzing potential salary cap casualties in the NFC.
As both players enter their contract years and with their respective performances being scrutinized, the Bears will have to decide whether to keep them, restructure their contracts, or move on entirely. Let’s take a closer look at this linebacker duo and why they have been singled out as potential cut candidates heading into the 2025 free agency period.
The Current State of the Bears’ Linebacker Group
The Bears have spent the past few seasons reshaping their roster, and the linebacker position has remained one of the key spots in need of attention. Over the past few seasons, Chicago has made several high-profile moves to bolster their defensive front, including selecting linebacker Roquan Smith in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft. Smith quickly emerged as one of the NFL’s premier linebackers, known for his sideline-to-sideline range and ability to disrupt plays in both the run and pass game.
Alongside Smith, T.J. Edwards was brought in from the Philadelphia Eagles, where he had built a reputation as a reliable tackler and an impactful presence in both coverage and run support. Edwards, who has played in the league for several years, offered a combination of experience and stability in the middle of the Bears’ defense.
However, despite the potential of this linebacker duo, the Bears’ overall defensive unit has struggled to meet expectations. With the team still in rebuilding mode, some observers believe it may be time to turn the page on certain veterans and free up valuable cap space.
Roquan Smith: A Potential Cut Candidate?
Roquan Smith has been the cornerstone of the Bears’ defense since his arrival in 2018. His playmaking ability, leadership, and intelligence on the field have made him one of the league’s top linebackers. However, with a potential salary cap hit nearing $18 million in 2025, the Bears will need to carefully consider whether Smith is worth keeping at such a high price tag.
Smith is entering a contract year, and with the Bears’ rebuild in full swing, there are questions about whether he fits into the team’s long-term plans. Given his high level of play, Smith is likely to command a significant contract extension or, alternatively, will be in high demand as a free agent if the Bears choose to move on from him. This leaves the Bears in a tough position. Keeping Smith would likely require a restructured deal or a large long-term investment, but given the team’s current stage of rebuilding, they might want to free up that money to allocate to other areas of need.
As the 2025 free agency period draws near, it’s possible that the Bears may look to trade Smith in order to recoup assets and further rebuild the roster. Alternatively, they could release him outright if the team feels that his contract is simply too large to justify keeping him in a rebuilding season. While Smith is a rare talent, the financial realities of the NFL might mean that the Bears have to move forward without him.
T.J. Edwards: A Solid Veteran or an Expensive Liability?
T.J. Edwards, who joined the Bears in free agency following his stint with the Eagles, has been a solid contributor to Chicago’s linebacker corps. Edwards is known for his versatility, leadership, and high football IQ, and he remains a reliable tackler and a strong presence against the run. However, with the Bears needing to clear cap space for future acquisitions and re-signings, Edwards’ relatively high salary might make him expendable.
Edwards is slated to have a cap hit of over $9 million in 2025, which, while not as high as Smith’s, still presents a significant financial commitment. The Bears are projected to be a young team with several key positions needing bolstering, and clearing Edwards’ contract could allow them to pursue younger, more cost-effective options at linebacker.
While Edwards brings value to the defense, his contract may not match his production level, especially as the Bears seek to allocate resources elsewhere. In a scenario where the Bears need to make cuts to free up cap space, Edwards could be a player who could be moved or released to give the team more financial flexibility.
The Impact of the Linebacker Cuts
If the Bears were to part ways with either Smith or Edwards, the impact on the defense would be substantial. Roquan Smith has been a cornerstone of the Bears’ defense since his rookie year, and losing him would leave a significant void in the middle of the field. However, such a move could also create an opportunity for younger players to step up and fill the leadership role that Smith has occupied for years.
T.J. Edwards, on the other hand, may be a more easily replaceable piece, as his role, while valuable, is not as essential to the overall identity of the defense as Smith’s. The Bears could look to add a linebacker in the draft or free agency who can provide a similar level of play without the hefty financial commitment.
Ultimately, both Smith and Edwards bring value to the team, but with the Bears in a rebuilding phase, the team may find it necessary to make tough decisions in order to better position themselves for the future. The linebacker position could become an area where the Bears are willing to make cuts in order to invest in other parts of the roster, like the offensive line or the secondary, both of which require immediate attention.
Conclusion
As the 2025 free agency period approaches, the Chicago Bears face a crossroads in their defensive strategy. Roquan Smith and T.J. Edwards, while both talented players, are potential cap casualties as the team looks to navigate its rebuilding process. While their leadership and skill sets are unquestionable, their contracts may be deemed too large for a team still in flux. The decisions the Bears make regarding these two linebackers will have lasting implications on the team’s future, and it will be intriguing to see whether they are part of the team’s long-term plans or if the Bears move on in order to invest elsewhere. Whatever happens, the linebacker duo will undoubtedly be among the most talked-about potential cuts in the NFC heading into the 2025 free agency period.
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