Bears 2024 training camp preview: Inside Linebackers

The Chicago Bears have three outstanding linebackers on the roster in Tremaine Edmunds, Jack Sanborn, and T.J. Edwards. Sanborn joins Edmunds on the field when the Bears utilize base personnel, which occurred on 23% of their defensive snaps lasr season, according to ESPN’s Aaron Schatz.

The Bears are scheduled to enter training camp with eight off-ball linebackers on Ryan Poles’ 90-man roster. Several veterans, ascending talents, and even undrafted free agents are vying for back-end positioning. Let’s assess the Chicago Bears’ inside linebackers ahead of training camp.

Tremaine Edmunds

Edmunds should get back on track this season after an injury hampered much of his performance throughout 2023. The Bears are reuniting him with new defensive coordinator Eric Washington, who was previously his position coach with the Buffalo Bills. Edmunds could recapture his previous Pro Bowl-worthy form.

T.J. Edwards

Edwards lived up to his three-year, $19.5 million contract last season. He led the Bears in tackles with 155 takedowns, his third consecutive 130-plus tackle season. Edwards is a sideline-to-sideline backer that makes Eberflus’ defense tick on a down-by-down basis.

Jack Sanborn

A member of Pro Football Focus’ All-Rookie Team in 2022, Sanborn took desirable steps forward last season. The sophomore undrafted free agent ranked fifth on the team in tackles with 65. Sanborn was particularly outstanding against the run, earning a PFF grade of 71.1.

Noah Sewell

A sophomore fifth-round pick, Noah Sewell provides the Bears with terrific depth at the position. Sewell played 270 snaps on special teams last season, fourth-most among all Bears players. That’ll continue being his role so long as Edmunds, Edwards, and Sanborn are on the team.

Micah Baskerville

Micah Baskerville joined the Chicago Bears in undrafted free agency last season. He spent almost his entire rookie campaign on the practice squad, though he did enjoy a brief stint on the active roster. Baskerville will once again compete for a back-end roster spot.

Amen Ogbongbemiga

Amen Ogbongbemiga joins the Bears after spending the previous three seasons with the Los Angeles Chargers. He was a big-time special teams player for the Chargers last year, earning 316 snaps via the third phase. Poles identified him as a solution to the Bears’ special teams issues.

Carl Jones Jr.

Carl Jones Jr. is an undrafted free agent linebacker out of UCLA. The Bakersfield, California native totaled 91 tackles, 14.5 for loss, and 5.0 sacks across three seasons with the Bruins. Jones Jr. is likely to join the Bears’ practice squad as opposed to the 53-man roster.

Paul Moala

Paul Moala also joined the Bears through undrafted free agency. He was a six-year college football veteran that played at Notre Dame, Idaho, and Georgia Tech. He produced a career-high 65 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, 4.0 sacks, three fumbles forced, and two pass breakups for the Yellow Jackets last season.