The 2025 Chicago Bears are a team that’s going to be much better than they were in 2024. They have some new pieces that are going to help solidify several positions on both offense and the Chicago Bears’ defense. While the offense is getting a lot of attention in free agency and the draft, the defense is going to have to do its part to make the Bears winners.
Enter defensive coordinator Dennis Allen. He’s the guy with the scheme and the drive, to go along with his coaching ability, who will bring the defense out of last year’s doldrums and make it a much better unit in 2025.
T.J. Edwards will be the Star of the Chicago Bears’ Defense in 2025
Every unit on a football team has its star. The Bears will have multiple stars on offense in 2025. Their special teams unit should be able to produce a top performer, whether it’s kicker Cairo Santos or perhaps (and hopefully this isn’t the case) punter Tory Taylor.
Defensive Changes
Then there is the Bears’ defense. The defense promises to change a lot in 2025 thanks to the introduction of Allen as the coordinator. While the Bears didn’t do a lot of work on the defensive side of the ball in terms of getting free agents, they brought in a couple of key ones that could help make things better. Grady Jarrett and Dayo Odeyingbo should help improve the defensive line, but are they enough?
Other players will need to step up and play better for the Bears in 2025. They must get the most from all 11 starters on that side of the ball.
T.J. Edwards is Ready for a Breakout
There must be one player that the Bears have on their roster who will end up taking well in Allen’s defense. There is a lot of talent on the defensive side, so almost anyone could rise and be a star. But there is one player in particular who is going to rise above the rest, thrive in the team’s new defensive scheme, and wind up in the Pro Bowl when the season is done.
The rising star this season is going to be linebacker TJ Edwards. Edwards, who signed a contract extension this offseason, is going to be the guy that the Bears rely on to be a leader on the defense, step up to play lights out, and lead that unit to better days.
T.J. Edwards played well in Matt Eberflus’ defense the last two seasons and should be able to excel in Allen’s. He is a tackling machine and has been a reliable force for the team ever since they signed him as a free agent in 2023. Edwards comes into the 2025 season having played a total of 34 games with the Bears, with 34 starts. He has recorded a total of 284 tackles, with 170 of those solo and 114 assisted. Add six and a half sacks and four interceptions, and you have one of the most productive players on the team.
A New Opportunity in a New Defense
Edwards will only get better this season in Allen’s defense. He will play a pivotal role in a defense that could be one of the better ones in the NFL. Look for him to become a strong leader on that side of the ball. Edwards will end up being the guy that the team relies on for leadership on defense on the field. Edwards should be able to do so well in Allen’s defense, he’ll make the Pro Bowl. He will be one of a couple of Bears’ defenders to represent the team in the all-star game.
The future is very bright for Edwards and the Bears. Look for the defense to improve over last season and make it interesting in the NFC North, the NFL’s best division. Edwards will be right there leading the way as the standard bearer for that defense. He will have a Pro Bowl season and show everyone that he’s the best defensive player on the team.
Main Image: Kamil Krzaczynski – USA Today Sports
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