Bears veteran linebacker, undrafted out of Wisconsin, now the defensive captain in Chicago.
T.J. Edwards went undrafted in 2019 and made the Bears as a special-teamer. Seven years later he's the Chicago defense's middle linebacker and signal-caller. The 2025 season produced 145 tackles, his fourth consecutive 120+ tackle year. He turns 30 in November and is on the back end of his current deal.
Path to the league
Wisconsin product who went undrafted in 2019. Started his career on Philadelphia's special teams. Took over as Eagles' middle linebacker by 2022. Signed with Chicago in 2023.
Career highlights
850+ career tackles. 4 consecutive 120+ tackle seasons. Bears single-season tackles by a free-agent signee (158 in 2023). Captain of the Bears defense (2024, 2025).
2025 outlook
145 tackles, 2 sacks, 1 INT. Chicago went 9-8 and made the playoffs as the Wild Card. The defense's tackle leader, signal-caller, and the one player Eric Washington's scheme keeps on the field for every defensive snap.
Sources
- Wikipedia: T. J. Edwards
- Pro Football Reference: T.J. Edwards
Statistics
2025 season and career2025 Season · Defense
10 games played▶Defense · career
| Year | Team | GP | TOT | SOLO | SACK | INT | FF | FR | PD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | bears | 10 | 67 | 33 | 0.5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 5 |
| 2024 | bears | 17 | 129 | 79 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| 2023 | bears | 17 | 155 | 91 | 2.5 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 7 |
| 2022 | eagles | 17 | 159 | 99 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 7 |
| 2021 | eagles | 16 | 130 | 64 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 5 |
| 2020 | eagles | 12 | 70 | 37 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 1 |
| 2019 | eagles | 16 | 30 | 15 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Player Profile
Background
- Position
- Linebacker
- Group
- defense
- College
- Wisconsin
- Hometown
- Lake Villa, IL, USA
- Age
- 29
- Status
- active
