Chicago Bears Alternate Logo

TJ Edwards

TJ Edwards Player Profile

Summary

T.J. Edwards is a veteran NFL linebacker currently playing for the Chicago Bears. He played his college football at the Wisconsin Badgers and entered the league as an undrafted free agent in 2019 with the Philadelphia Eagles. Bleeding Green NationKnown for his high-football IQ, reliability in the run game, and tackling consistency, Edwards has carved out a role as a dependable inside linebacker and special-teams contributor. He has grown into a full-time starter role and accumulated significant snap counts, proving his staying power despite being initially overlooked in the draft. Sports Spectrum

Strengths

Here are some of the key strengths Edwards brings:

  • High football intelligence & processing speed: As a college player, Edwards was repeatedly noted for his ability to diagnose plays quickly, get to the right spot and make tackles. Bucky's 5th Quarter

  • Tackling form & reliability: He is a sure tackler who wraps up well and shows discipline in his assignments — he “doesn’t miss many dire mistakes that hurt his team.” Baltimore Ravens

  • Run-support competence / box presence: Edwards thrives in the box defending the run, engaging blockers, working through traffic and making plays near the line of scrimmage. Bleeding Green Nation

  • Coverage awareness (zone schemes): Although not elite in man coverage, Edwards has shown good zone-awareness and enough movement to drop into underneath zones and handle responsibility. Bleeding Green Nation

  • Competitiveness and leadership: Reports indicate he brings a high motor, is tough to block cleanly, and is respected in defensive units for doing the little things right. Bleeding Green Nation

Weaknesses

No player is without flaws, and Edwards has a few areas for improvement:

  • Athletic limitations / chase speed: Multiple scouting reports flagged his limited long-speed and burst, especially when asked to operate sideline-to-sideline or cover athletic backs/TEs in space. Bucky's 5th Quarter

  • Coverage vs man / athletic receivers: While solid in zone, his ability to match up one-on-one in man coverage with tight ends or shiftier runners is a concern. Bleeding Green Nation

  • Functional versatility in certain schemes: Some analysis suggested he might be best suited to specific roles (inside linebacker in box) rather than as a full three-down, every-down linebacker in all systems. Bucky's 5th Quarter

  • Explosiveness / pass-rush impact: He isn’t regarded as a high-volume pass rusher or someone who consistently disrupts the backfield, which limits his impact on passing downs compared to more athletically gifted LBs. Bleeding Green Nation

Fit & Outlook

T.J. Edwards projects as a very solid and reliable starter at the inside linebacker spot, especially in a defensive scheme that emphasizes gap discipline, run support, and smart coverage in zone. Given his strengths — particularly football IQ, tackling, run-defense — his floor is high: he is unlikely to be a liability, and he offers meaningful value.

In the coming seasons:

  • He should continue to contribute strongly in base defenses, and especially on early downs when run support is critical.

  • If he can improve or maintain his athleticism relative to faster/younger players, he might expand his role on passing downs (e.g., in sub-packages, blitzes, or covering tight ends/big slots).

  • Because he lacks elite athletic upside, expecting him to become a “lightning bolt” playmaker might be unrealistic — rather, he is best viewed as a dependable steady contributor who can anchor the middle of a defense.

  • From a long-term perspective, he could form part of a veteran tandem or mentor younger linebackers, extending his career if he remains healthy and plays with consistency.