How the Chicago Bears linebackers became the defense’s most dependable unit by forming a clutch gene
The flashiest plays by the Chicago Bears’ defense have come through the air, no one can deny.
Tyrique Stevenson’s pick-six and the two game-clinching interceptions by Jaylon Johnson and Jaquan Brisker directly led to two wins.
But when the Bears have truly, deeply need a play to make this season, the heart of its defense has stepped up.
“The linebacker play, I thought that would get better with the continuity there with those three players,” Bears’ head coach Matt Eberflus said “It has.”
Through the first four weeks of the NFL season, the Bears’ defense has shown it has gone from good to great.
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It’s the best and most consistent of the Bears’ three phases, and at its center is the linebacking unit. It’s a unit that has also formed a dependable clutch gene.
At the head of the unit are TJ Edwards and Tremaine Edmunds, two free-agent signings who joined the Bears ahead of the 2023 season. The two, combined with undrafted free agent-turned-contributor Jack Sanborn, reserve and special teams ace Amen Ogbongbemiga and 2023 draft pick Noah Sewell, comprise the linebacker room.
Before the season even began, plenty of talk ruminated about the secondary and defensive line. The linebackers weren’t a hot-button issue, mainly because they were playing at a high level even through the preseason.
“They’re just playing fast and physical and have a really good understanding of the defense,” Bears linebackers coach Dave Borgonzi said during training camp. “They’re like coaches on the field.”
That has carried over into the regular season.
In key moments during the first quarter of the season, the Bears’ linebacker unit has shown how its talent and preparation can take shape on Sundays. Not only do they run the defense, but they make key plays.
“You can count on them,” Bears’ nickelbacks coach David Overstreet said. “Tremaine and TJ, they’re going to do whatever it takes and they’re going to drive everybody. But also they can get everybody going.”
The Week 1 win over Tennessee was a perfect example.
Edwards recovered a Will Levis fumble forced by DeMarcus Walker. Edwards also blitzed later in the game on a stunt, setting a pick for Edmunds to fly through the open gap for a sack.
That effort isn’t lost on the rest of the Bears’ secondary.
“TJ sacrificed himself on a pick so Tremaine could make the play,” Overstreet said. “Not only that, if you look at secondary, they all rush it down there to get to Tremaine even though there was a man coverage because they’re all feeding and excited with each other.”
Another example came in Week 3. The Bears’ defense, with its back against the wall on its own goal line after a 44-yard pass play, needed to make a play of its own.
