The Bears won a thriller over the Packers on Saturday, mounting an impressive second-half comeback to stun their rivals and advance to the divisional round of the playoffs. Unfortunately, Chicago lost several starters for the remainder of its playoff run.
Linebacker T.J. Edwards suffered a fractured fibula, per Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network. Left tackle Ozzy Trapilo, meanwhile, sustained a patellar injury (via Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports, who confirmed both players would miss the rest of the postseason). Albert Breer of SI.com said Trapilo’s injury is a ruptured patellar tendon and will require surgery and a six-month recovery.
Edwards, an Illinois native who grew up a Bears fan, originally joined the team as a free agent in March 2023. His three-year contract paid him less than $7MM per year, but he signed an extension in April that features a $10MM AAV and keeps him under club control through 2027.
The 29-year-old had not missed any time over the last three seasons, but he was limited to just 10 games in 2025 due to hamstring and hand injuries. When healthy, however, he remained a full-time starter, recording 67 tackles and a pick-six. Pro Football Focus assigned him a 72.0 overall grade for his work this season, which placed him 25th among 87 qualified players.
D’Marco Jackson relieved Edwards on Saturday and is in line to see a heavier workload going forward. The Bears are already thin at the LB position, as they placed Noah Sewell on injured reserve near the end of the regular season. Amen Ogbongbemiga missed the wildcard round due to a concussion.
Trapilo, a second-round rookie, earned his first start in Week 11, taking over for the demoted Theo Benedet (who had previously replaced Braxton Jones in the starting lineup). Trapilo played fairly well down the stretch, and his absence will be felt. Benedet took over for Trapilo in the Packers contest, and Jones – who was placed on IR shortly after his benching – could find himself back in the LT mix.
Prior to his demotion, Jones had started all 40 games in which he had appeared. The contract-year blocker was designated for return last week.
Dude that put his helmet into Loves face should be out of the rest of the playoffs!
Player should know by now how to tackle, shoulder and wrap arms at chest height or lower. I was taught that in the 60’s.
I decided to forget everything I was taught in the 60s because there are no teachers from then alive to give me a pop quiz :)
That was a legal play, Love was a runner there. Nothing wrong with it.
Runner?
Thought he was ‘fading back’ to pass.
Please look at the rule. The player did nothing wrong at all. Love invited that, as he tends to do. He needs to get better at protecting himself.
After that insane game that’s your takeaway? What a horrible take.
Was a good game granted and GB did botch a number of opportunities yet losing your starting QB might have tipped the scale.
Of note – regular season Derwin James hits TE gets ejected and suspended.
Edwards isn’t a huge loss because he really doesn’t fit what Allen wants to do and neither does Edmunds really. Both may not even be here next year. As seen by the Bears defense actually got better with Jackson in there anyway. But Trapilo is a big loss that might leak into next year. Patella tendon injuries are hard to come back from. Granted a lot harder for a skill player than a lineman but still not good news. The Bears line really jelled when they put him in as the starter next to Thuney. Just when the Bears found their LT this happens. Sad. As far as Love goes he likes to duck his head into other guys helmets to draw fouls. It works but at what cost? His brains are scrambled.
Lets hope Mike, that Johnson cuts down the reckless 4th down calls next week against Philly. The Bears were tough but lucky last night.
Yeah I didn’t really get that either. Seemed like he was trying to be Dan Campbell and lost Ben Johnson somewhere. This defense isn’t the kind you want to put extra pressure on.
Sad to see these guys injured with some serious injuries. That’s the game. It happens.Both are unlikely to start the 2026 season on time . T.J may have been on his way out anyway regardless of his health status which really stung him this season. The injury to Ozzie could also change the draft plans coming up that had several predictions having the Bears going heavy D. Thanks for the effort guys and hopefully a full recovery.
Think there are big time changes coming to the defense. If Dennis Allen is back and I see no reason why he wouldn’t be this is how I see it. Allen has” Types” he likes and they have none of them really.
1. Allen likes his LB’s Big,Fast and able to cover backs and TE’s 1 on 1. The only one he has right now is Hyppolyte and he can’t stay on the field. Edwards isn’t big or fast and I’m not sure how much dead money losing him would save right now. Edmunds only would cost 2 million to move on from and save 15 million. Gone. His main coverage skill is being tall and getting in the passing lanes. Sewell can’t stay on the field either. Major upgrades coming.
2. CB- Allen likes 1 on 1 corners. Johnson isn’t healthy still. He’s not moving around real well. Wright has been solid if not spectacular. Gordon well enough said about that I guess. Smith hurt again. Frazier? Mystery man. A position once seen as a strength is now what exactly? Iffy at best.
3. Defense desperately needs a DT who can rush the passer and get an inside push. Turner? Who knows. Dexter really hasn’t stepped up but he can be solid rotation piece. Billings and Jarrett under performing. Billings gone, stuck with Jarrett. Needs help.
4. S- Allen likes big safeties who hit and can run. Byard old and not any of that but smart. Brisker not that either and brittle until this year. Solid but replaceable IMO.
5. Edge-Once seen as a position of need might be acceptable. Booker and Sweat solid if not spectacular. Robinson? Not sure exactly what he is one way or another. Should surely draft at least one.
Conclusion- Trade Kmet for a draft pick and Cap savings. Sign a FA TE to B/U Loveland. There are tons of them in the NFL. Kmet can start for someone.
Try and move Jaylon Johnson. Save 25 million. Get another pick.
Lose Edmunds . Save 15 million. Like him but he’s not really the answer at that price.
Edwards-? Not sure what they can save but if they have to keep him he can be a B/U at least.
Savings possible
Kmet-11 million
Edmunds- 15 million
Johnson- 25 million
Gordon-Trade? I think he makes around 10 million.
Edwards-?
Gets the Bears some money to fill holes. Get Allen what he needs. Hope Ozzy is OK early next year. Trade picks down. More is better. Trade 25 down for more picks. With a lot of 2nd round picks being guaranteed now at least you’re only obligated for 4 years not 5. More picks is better. Get as many as you can. LB’s can be found in all rounds and in FA if you have money and is the BIGGEST need I think
End of my thesis for next year.