Bears linebacker T.J. Edwards has been recognized by two media outlets for his impressive performance during the 2023 season.
In selecting one player from each NFL team, NFL.com's Kevin Patra chose Edwards as the Bears' "unsung hero" and Pro Football Focus' Thomas Valentine picked Edwards as the team's "secret superstar."
In his first season with the Bears, Edwards led the defense and ranked seventh in the NFL with 155 tackles, established career highs with 2.5 sacks, three interceptions and two fumble recoveries, and also registered eight tackles-for-loss and one forced fumble while starting all 17 games.
Edwards signed with the Bears last March after spending his first four NFL seasons with the Eagles, entering the league in 2019 with Philadelphia as an undrafted free agent from Wisconsin.
In selecting Edwards as the Bears’ unsung hero, Patra wrote: "Boasting both the ability to tackle in space and excellent coverage skills, Edwards was the glue in the middle of Chicago's defense."
In choosing Edwards as the Bears’ secret superstar, Valentine wrote: Edwards was excellent across the board, finishing with an 80.2 overall PFF grade, the 10th highest among all linebackers, as well as top-20 PFF grades in run defense and coverage. The Bears defense kicked on Montez Sweat's arrival, but Edwards has had a quiet hand in their success."
