Tremaine Edmunds And The Bucs
February 17th, 2026
Could Bears really cut him?
We don’t know if Bucs icon Lavonte David will return for a 15th season. Even if he does, the Bucs need to be proactive in bringing in a quality off-the-ball linebacker.
(Sorry, SirVocea Dennis is not a starting NFL linebacker.)
As we saw yesterday with the Dolphins shaving contracts from their roster, it’s cap season where teams are trying to clear cap space to either go get a free agent or two or trying to get under the salary cap.
Currently, the Bears are well over their cap which leads Matt Okada of NFL.com to think Chicago may turn loose middle linebacker Tremaine Edmunds, even though he is a quality player.
Edmunds remained a solid and consistent linebacker in his eighth NFL season (and third with the Bears), extending his unbroken streak of seasons with 100+ tackles along with four interceptions and a fumble recovery. If he was making solid starter money — say $10 million a year — there’d be little to no reason to move on (except that Chicago is $5.3 million over the cap right now). Unfortunately, that’s not the case. Edmunds’ AVV of $18 million is third-highest at his position, and his cap hit of $17.4 million is fourth-highest. Most importantly, the Bears can save a monster $15 million against the cap by letting him go, with just $2.4 million in dead money.
Last summer in his annual poll of NFL suits, coaches and scouts, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN had Edmunds at the sixth-best off-the-ball linebacker, right ahead of David, who was No. 7.
Edmunds will enter his ninth NFL season this fall and the Virginia Tech product has never not had 100 tackles in a season.
If somehow the Bears deem Edmunds expendable due to the salary cap, Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht needs to be all over Edmunds to come to Tampa Bay.
Edmunds has only known frigid weather, having played for the Bills and Bears in his career. Time for him to enjoy some decent weather for a change.
February 17th, 2026 at 4:31 am
Would be an excellent addition. Also a huge fan of adding Bradley Chubb but hopefully that’s not the only move at edge the Bucs pursue
February 17th, 2026 at 5:59 am
I read a quote from David saying the team will allow him to decide on whether he will return for 2026, his 15th season. And herein lies the problem with the Bucs. I don’t care if you’re Ray Lewis, Dick Butkus or Mike Singletary, the team (Licht) should decide on a player’s future, not the other way around. Yes, David is a nice guy, but he is no longer THE guy.
A true indicator of MLB prowess is tackles for a loss, the ability to penetrate.
Last season was his first season, other than the season where he only started 12 games, where David didn’t have double digit tackles for a loss. He had 8 after compiling 18 in 2024. That’s not a drop, it’s a free-fall.
A great guy and a loyal Buc. I’m sure David will one day find himself at a halftime show where they unveil his name on the Ring of Honor.
But for now, it’s time to retire, lay back and enjoy your family.
February 17th, 2026 at 6:44 am
time for lavonte to retire. he’s a great player and leader and his contribution over the years is great without a doubt. he was injured and old(er) last season and it showed. the bucs can put 10m to better use.
February 17th, 2026 at 6:51 am
Yea the 100+ tackles is nice but the four interceptions. Without checking (no coffee yet) wouldn’t those four interception’s have led the Bucs?
February 17th, 2026 at 7:54 am
Not to mention the tax savings he’ll enjoy. Chicago and New York are among the worst places as far as taxes go.
February 17th, 2026 at 7:54 am
JA – I could not agree any more and well said. This seemingly extends to Bucs fans as well as, for some reason, Bucs fans hold on to nostalgia the hardest. Two things can be true, you can love Mike Evans and Lavonte David but also come to the logical conclusion that adding a semi-premium edge rusher and an excellent middle backer would help the Bucs exponentially more than tying up money in to vets that…quite frankly…”kinda” (thanks lavonte” anchors the team. That generation is over, we have got to move on sooner rather than later. And you know what, f it – if I’m Mike Evans and I care about another ring, my perception as an elite receiver, I’m going to Buffalo or KC. And that’s ok. Randy moss, and Jerry rice played in diff uniforms, Joe Montana, Peyton Manning. It happens. Keep it business and do what’s in the best interest of future/team.