The Chicago Bears made only one* significant change to their linebacking corps this season, but this group will look much different than the group that played in 2025.
Roster Locks
Tremaine Edmunds, who was much better than fans want to give him credit for, was cut in a cap-saving move, and the Bears signed Devin Bush to take his place. Bush got a 3-year, $30 million deal, but his cap hit in 2026 will only be $5.6M. The Bears will slide Bush into the weakside linebacker spot, and his speed and athleticism should
be an upgrade. Pro Football Focus had Bush as the only linebacker in 2025 (while in Cheveland) to grade above 80 against the run and in pass coverage. The 28-year-old had a slow start to his career, but he’s really coming into his own.
The Bears gave D’Marco Jackson a new 2-year, $7.5M deal, with some playing time incentives, and my guess is they want his speed on the field more this season. Last year, he received the first starts of his pro career, and in those 5 games (4 in the regular season, 1 in the playoffs), he had 37 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, a sack, and an interception, while being named the NFC Defensive Player of the Week for his Week 15 performance. His sample size was obviously smaller (261 regular-season defensive snaps), but PFF had him with an overall grade of 83.8.
T.J. Edwards was extended last offseason, but he struggled with injuries before he fractured his fibula in the playoff win over the Packers. He was never the most athletic linebacker, instead relying on his smarts to give him an edge, so the Bears need him back at 100%. Luckily, early reports had him doing some stuff at OTAs, so he may be ready when training camp opens. Edwards, who won the Brian Piccolo award for the third straight year, is a team leader both on and off the field, and as long as he’s healthy, he’ll be starting at middle linebacker.
My guess is that in some defensive subpackages, it’ll be Bush and Jackson staying on the field while Edwards comes off, but this could be matchup reliant depending on the offense’s personnel and down and distance.
A Good Bet To Make It
The Bears picked Keyshaun Elliott in the fifth round a year after spending a fourth on linebacker Ruben Hyppolite II, but more on Ruben in the next section. Elliot has good instincts and was an excellent blitzer in college. I can see him as the eventual heir apparent at the Mike, but as a rookie, he’ll need to excel in the third phase to cement his spot on the 53.
Roster Bubble/Practice Squad
*The Bears did bring fan favorite Jack Sanborn back after he spent a year in Dallas, where he missed 11 games with a groin injury. The soon-to-be 26-year-old signed a one-year league minimum deal, but his experience could give him an edge.
“I love it here in Chicago and being part of what [coach] Ben Johnson and [defensive coordinator] Dennis Allen have been building here and the success that they’ve had,” Sanborn told ChicagoBears.com after re-signing with his hometown team. “It’s something I couldn’t pass up, and I’m grateful that I’m able to come back here and help in any way I can.”
Tony Fields II played in 45 games (10 starts) from 2021 to 2024 with the Browns, but was injured and waived in ’24 before landing on the Rams practice squad. He didn’t play in 2025 after being cut by the Rams, but in 2026, he made the All-UFL team as a member of the Columbus Aviators. His experience will keep him in the mix for a job.
Jon Rhattigan is another veteran special teamer with over 1,200 snaps from 2021 to 2025.
Wayne Matthews III is a 2026 UDFA from Michigan State, and at his pro day, he was the only non-lineman to hit 20 reps on the bench press.
Hyppolite only saw action in 7 games as a rookie (31 snaps on defense and 82 snaps on special teams) while dealing with a shoulder injury and not being able to crack the active game day roster when healthy. His speed and athleticism will give him an opportunity to shine in the third phase, but if he can’t prove worthy of playing defense, he might be destined for the practice squad.
The Bears carried 5 linebackers last year, so how many do you think make it this year?
