TJ Edwards Inks 2-Year, $20 Million Contract With Bears

The Chicago Bears are making moves — and fans should be excited. In a major step to solidify their defense, the Bears have locked up linebacker TJ Edwards with a fresh two-year, $20 million extension.

Sources confirmed the deal late Wednesday, just a few days after Chicago extended nickel corner Kyler Gordon. It’s clear: the Bears are serious about building around the guys who’ve proven they can get it done.

Edwards, who was heading into the last year of his current contract with a $5.4 million base salary for 2025, will now be sticking around through 2027. It’s a major win for both sides — stability for the Bears and deserved recognition for a player who’s worked his way to the top.

The Journey from Undrafted to Captain

T.J. Edwards wasn’t some hot-shot first-round pick. In fact, he went completely undrafted out of Wisconsin in 2019. But if you know Edwards, you know that just fueled him more.

The Philadelphia Eagles gave him a shot, and he turned it into four strong seasons, proving he belonged with the best. He wasn’t flashy. He wasn’t loud. He just made plays, tackled everything that moved, and earned every snap he got.

In 2023, he returned home to Illinois, signing with the Bears. Since then, he’s been a machine — 284 tackles, 6.5 sacks, 14 quarterback hits in just two seasons. And last year? Career-highs in sacks (4) and tackles for loss (12). Simply put: he’s getting better.

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More Than Just Stats

Edwards is more than numbers on a sheet. Before the 2024 season, his teammates voted him captain — a huge honor and a clear sign of how much he means in that locker room.

He’s the guy younger players look up to. He’s the guy who sets the tone in practice, the guy who keeps everyone focused when things get tough. You can’t teach that kind of leadership — it’s earned.

So it’s no surprise the Bears prioritized him. After securing Gordon on a three-year, $30 million deal, locking in Edwards was the next logical step.

The Hometown Hero

For Edwards, this isn’t just business — it’s personal. Born and raised in Lake Villa, Illinois, he’s one of Chicago’s own.

Playing in front of friends and family, representing the city he grew up in — it means something extra. Fans see that. They feel it. And they’ve embraced Edwards like one of their own.

He fits Chicago’s tough, blue-collar identity perfectly. No shortcuts. No excuses. Just hard work, week after week.

Source: Source: Bears extend T.J. Edwards for 2 years, $20 million

Defense First, Always

If it wasn’t obvious before, it should be now: the Bears are all-in on building a dominant defense.

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By locking down guys like Gordon and Edwards, they’re not just planning for next season — they’re laying the foundation for years to come.

Under the watchful eye of defensive coordinator Alan Williams and GM Ryan Poles, Chicago is getting back to what it does best: tough, physical, relentless football.

TJ Edwards Inks 2-Year, $20 Million Contract with Bears

The Money Side

Financially, the deal is a win-win.

Two years, $20 million keeps Edwards happy without handcuffing the Bears’ future cap flexibility. It’s smart business: rewarding production without overcommitting.

And make no mistake — Edwards’ best football might still be ahead of him. He’s only 28, right in his prime.

Looking Ahead

So what’s next for Chicago? More of the same, hopefully.

Continue rewarding the right guys. Keep building a defense that opponents dread playing against. And let leaders like T.J. Edwards set the tone, both on Sundays and every other day of the week.

For Edwards, it’s another chapter in an already incredible story: overlooked, doubted, and now, a centerpiece of a proud franchise.

The Bears believe in T.J. Edwards — and if you’ve been watching, it’s easy to see why.