Tremaine Edmunds
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CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - OCTOBER 19: Tremaine Edmunds #49 of the Chicago Bears celebrates a tackle against the New Orleans Saints during the fourth quarter at Soldier Field on October 19, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)
Aside from the offensive line, another major need for the Las Vegas Raiders is at linebacker.
All three starters (Elandon Roberts, Jamal Adams, and Devin White) are slated to become free agents this offseason, and with newly promoted defensive coordinator Rob Leonard switching from a 4-3 (four defensive linemen, three linebackers) to a 3-4 defense (three defensive linemen, four linebackers) it’s imperative the Raiders create a solid group in the middle of the defense.
That said, some intriguing news has emerged regarding the Raiders’ plan to upgrade at linebacker.
Raiders Among Three Teams Interested in Trade for Bears Linebacker
According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, the Raiders are one of three teams, along with the Tennessee Titans and New York Giants, that are interested in a trade for Chicago Bears linebacker Tremaine Edmunds, who was granted permission to seek a trade last week.
“One player who has strong trade value and a decent chance to be dealt is Bears linebacker Tremaine Edmunds,” Fowler wrote. “The Titans, Raiders and Giants are among teams interested in high-end linebackers, and they like Edmunds, who’s only 27 despite eight years in the league. He was granted permission to seek a trade earlier this week.”
The reason the Bears want to release Edmunds isn’t that he’s had a decline in play. In fact, Edmunds is one of just two players since 2000 with 900+ tackles and 50+ passes defensed before turning 28, and he led the team in tackles last season.
It’s because the Bears are currently looking at ways to get over the cap, as the team currently has negative $6.5 million in available cap space, according to OvertheCap.com. If the Bears were to move Edmunds, it would free up $15 million.
What a Potential Trade Would Look Like for the Raiders
The bad news for the Raiders is that there are other teams interested in a trade for Edmunds, which could increase the draft capital required. The good news is it won’t be increased by a lot.
Linebackers generally aren’t traded for high-round draft picks, and Edmunds will likely be dealt to one of the three teams for a fifth-round pick, maybe a fourth-rounder at the highest.
Everyone around the league knows the Bears want to move on from the 27-year-old linebacker, and the Raiders could get away with sending just a fifth-round pick for him.
Another factor to consider is that the Raiders currently sit with the second-most cap space in the NFL at $89 million. If the Titans or Giants want to pay a steeper price for Edmunds, the Raiders shouldn’t sweat over it, considering they have the money to go out in free agency and sign some other high-profile linebackers.
Here are some of this year’s top free-agent linebackers and their projected contracts, according to The Athletic:
Devin Lloyd, Jaguars – 4 years, $76 million (19M APY)
Devin Bush, Browns – 3 years, $47 million (15.7M APY)
Alex Anzalone, Lions – 2 years, $21 million (10.5M APY)
Demario Davis, Saints – 1 year, $9 million
Quay Walker, Packers – 2 years, $17 million (8.5M APY)
There are multiple avenues the team could take to create a solid linebacker core, and Edmunds is one way the Raiders are currently looking to possibly upgrade at LB.