Chicago Bears linebacker T.J. Edwards is still a player who has the respect of people around the NFL.
Nothing announces the upcoming NFL season like ESPN’s annual top-10 series. Every year, NFL executives, coaches, and scouts are polled to rank the league’s best players position by position. Not only does this series usher in the return of tangible football talk, but it also offers a glimpse at how folks around the league have stacked up each position group.
Unlike previous years when the Bears were mostly absent from this list, we have had a bunch of players mentioned either in or hovering just outside the top-10 at their position group. It’s quite the collection we have been discussing so far.
Quarterback Caleb Williams landed as a top-10 quarterback, edging Jordan Love, Jayden Daniels, and Super Bowl championship-winner Sam Darnold in dramatic fashion. Tight end Colston Loveland made the cut as one of the NFL’s 10 best tight ends. Darnell Wright’s clocked in as the NFL’s highest-rated right tackle. Future Hall of Famer Joe Thuney was named one of the five best interior offensive linemen.
One anonymous NFL exec shared their belief that Jaylon Johnson is positioned to return to form as a top-10 cornerback, landing him Honorable Mention status. Tight end Cole Kmet was an honorable mention, too. D’Andre Swift received some votes as a top running back, which was a pleasant surprise. And a list of top edge defenders saw Montez Sweat generate some buzz in the poll to land just outside the top 10, too.
When I woke up on Tuesday, I was not expecting any Bears representation on ESPN’s list of the best off-ball linebackers going into the 2026 NFL season. So I was pleasantly surprised when I saw T.J. Edwards listed.
Bears LB TJ Edwards. Mandatory Credit: Mike Dinovo-Imagn ImagesT.J. Edwards still might have some fuel left in the tank
T.J. Edwards is one of 10 linebackers in the “also receiving votes” category in ESPN’s survey of NFL executives, coaches, and scouts who weigh in to help create a list of the 10 best players at the position. Among the linebackers in the “also receiving votes” category is Tremaine Edmunds, Edwards’ former running mate in Chicago who was cut in the offseason after failed trade talks and signed with the New York Giants.
Edmunds and Edwards are among the names Bears fans are familiar with who find their way onto the list. The top-10 includes Roquan Smith (Bears’ 2018 first-round draft pick), Jack Campbell (a Lions LB Chicago sees twice a year), Edgerrin Cooper (Packers standout LB), Zaire Frankline (a linebacker recently acquired by the Packers in the offseason), Quay Walker (ex-Packers LB who signed with the Raiders in free agency), and Devin Lloyd (who the Bears will see in Week 1 when they play the Carolina Panthers). I think this speaks volumes about the depth at the position around the league.
Injuries derailed T.J. Edwards’ 2025 season. He missed seven regular-season games due to various injuries and was limited to a total of just 10 appearances last season. Before an injury-riddled 2025, Edwards had established himself as one of the team’s best and most durable defenders. When he played, he made an impact in spurt. For instance, Edwards was the Bears’ highest-graded player in the team’s loss to the Green Bay Packers, which stood out to me because was his first game back after a stay on injured reserve. He also had an impressive pick-six against the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday Night Football.
So when T.J. Edwards wasn’t in the lineup due to injuries, his absence was felt.
Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn ImagesI’m not sure what to expect from Edwards going into the 2026 NFL season. But I do appreciate that he is still respected in NFL circles.
The last time we saw him, Edwards was being carted off the field during the Bears’ playoff win against the Packers. D’Marco Jackson filled in admirably, then started the team’s next postseason game against the Los Angeles Rams. Back in April, Edwards shared an optimistic timeline for his return to the field this season. Whenever he makes it back, he will join a collection of linebackers that includes Jackson, Ruben Hyppolite II, Noah Sewell, rookie Keyshaun Elliott, newcomer Devin Bush, and the return of Jack Sanborn. The Bears have depth here, which is nice. But that group would look even better if Edwards can channel the play he had in his first two seasons in Chicago.
At this point, the only position group in which the Bears haven’t had a top player mentioned is along the interior defensive line. It wasn’t surprising to see that no Bears defensive tackles made the top 10. However, I still think this defensive line can be a pleasant surprise if things bounce their way.
ESPN’s rollout of its position-by-position top 10 continues on Wednesday. Do the Bears have a wide receiver who will make the list? I don’t think Luther Burden III or Rome Odunze have done enough to slide into consideration here. But it wouldn’t surprise me to see one get some votes. Stay tuned.
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