Tampa Bay Buccaneers GM Jason Licht has a lot of work to do with the roster this offseason, but the Chicago Bears might have just made his life way easier.
Ian Rapoport reported Tuesday that the Bears have given star linebacker Tremaine Edmunds permission to seek a trade. The move does not guarantee that Edmunds will leave Chicago, but it does signal that general manager Ryan Poles is open to reshaping the defense, and rightfully so. With Edmunds entering the final year of his contract, and his average salary of $18 million means he's an ideal trade candidate.
And if the Bears can't work out a deal, he's likely to be a victim of cap decisions.
The #Bears have given LB Tremaine Edmunds permission to seek a trade, sources say. A standout LB potentially available. pic.twitter.com/SswCf0pjCM
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) February 25, 2026
The Bucs have never shied away from being aggressive in free agency, particularly for defensive players, and Edmunds could be exactly the type of talent the Bucs need to reshape the middle of the defense.
Tremaine Edmunds is a perfect fit for the Buccaneers' defense
Todd Bowles has shaped his defense around speed and versatility at the linebacker position, both things that Edmunds does well. Edmunds led the Bears in tackles in 2025 with 112, and his tall stature and strength earn him a certain advantage.
For over a decade, Lavonte David has been the centerpiece of the Tampa Bay defense, but time defeats us all in the end. David, 36 years old, is set to be a free agent moving into the offseason, and his future with the Bucs remains in question. Regardless, if the Bucs re-sign another year with David, they'll still need a long term replacement. At only 27 years old, Edmunds is still in his prime, and he's got plenty to give.
Tampa is not in rebuild mode, and they shouldn't be. The Bucs only narrowly missed the playoffs in 2025, and the division remains winnable. Defense is still the identity of Tampa Bay, and Edmunds could bring quite a lot to the table, and provide an anchor point for the foreseeable future. Adding Edmunds now could prevent any future holes in the roster from developing should a player like David move on. It would be marked with being proactive as opposed to desperate.
The move wouldn't be about covering up David's legacy, but rather preserving the status quo of all that he's built, The move would be about protecting the future, near and far, and if the price is right, the Bucs should explore it. Should Edmunds remain on the Bears to begin the season, and he performs well, he'll only come at a higher price tag if the Bears intend to move him prior to the trade deadline. Tampa does not need o force a move, but this is the kind of opportunity that contenders can't ignore.