Bears linked to ex-Saints, Lions 613-tackle LB as Tremaine Edmunds replacement
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Bears linked to ex-Saints, Lions 613-tackle LB as Tremaine Edmunds replacement originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Chicago Bears are going to be looking to the free agent market on the defensive side of the ball this offseason. They might land a new left tackle, wide receiver depth, or maybe a new tight end, but the main focus will be on defense.
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The pass rusher and safety problems are well-known, but after the Tremaine Edmunds release, the Bears now need to find his replacement. And a day before free agency, there's one player they've been linked to.
According to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, the Bears are linked to former New Orleans Saints and Detroit Lions veteran linebacker Alex Anzalone as an Edmunds replacement in free agency this offseason.
Bears linked to Alex Anzalone as Edmunds replacement
"To replace Tremaine Edmunds, Alex Anzalone is a name to watch," Fowler writes. "Defensive coordinator Dennis Allen was with him in New Orleans, and he's good in coverage."
Allen's defense last year was a bright spot for the Bears. While they weren't a perfect unit, his defense was able to generate a high amount of turnovers, including from the linebacker spot.
Edmunds finished the year with four interceptions, and now that he's a free agent, the Bears will need a key replacement for their off-ball linebacker spot.
Anzalone, the 310year-old nine-year veteran once picked in the third-round of the 2017 NFL Draft, would be a great pickup for the Bears.
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Last season for the Lions, he started 16 games, recording one interceptions, nine passes defended, 2.5 sacks, 95 tackles, four tackles for loss and six quarterback hits.
In pass coverage, the area the Bears need the most help in, Anzalone had a very strong 78.6 passer rating allowed. Add on his 11 pressures, and he was an all-around linebacker for the Lions last season.
Adding a replacement for Edmunds is something the Bears need to do in the short term and the long term. Even if Anzalone is just for the 2026 season, he would be a solid pickup fot the Bears this offseason in free agency.
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