T.J. Edwards Bio
T.J. Edwards (born August 12, 1996) is an American professional football linebacker for the Chicago Bears of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Wisconsin Badgers, where he developed into one of the most productive linebackers in the Big Ten Conference. Despite going undrafted in 2019, Edwards built a steady career with the Philadelphia Eagles before signing with his hometown Chicago Bears in 2023. He has continued to be a tackling leader and a reliable defensive presence in the middle of the field.
Early Life and Background
T.J. Edwards was born on August 12, 1996, in Lake Villa, Illinois. He grew up in the Chicago suburbs and attended Lakes Community High School, where he lined up at quarterback on offense. During his senior season, he also spent three games on the defensive side of the ball at safety, recording twenty tackles, two tackles for loss, two sacks, and one interception in that short stretch.
Although Edwards was a quarterback in high school, college programs recruited him as a defensive player. He originally committed to Western Michigan, but in early December 2013 he flipped his commitment to the University of Wisconsin after being recruited by Badgers defensive coordinator Dave Aranda. The decision to move to Madison helped shape his long-term identity as a tackling linebacker at the next level.
Path to American Football
Edwards joined the Wisconsin Badgers as a linebacker and redshirted his first year on campus in 2014. With the 2014 starting inside linebackers Marcus Trotter and Derek Landisch graduating, Edwards was pushed into the mix to become a starter. By the end of spring practice in 2015, he had earned a starting role alongside Leon Jacobs.
As a redshirt freshman in 2015, Edwards started all thirteen games for the Badgers. He opened the season with twelve tackles against Alabama and was later named Big Ten Freshman of the Week after a sixteen-tackle, one-and-a-half tackle-for-loss, one-forced-fumble performance against Purdue. He finished the year leading the team with eighty-four tackles and was recognized as a Freshman All-American by the Football Writers Association of America.
T.J. Edwards Career
Early Career (2019)
T.J. Edwards went undrafted in the 2019 NFL Draft, but signed with the Philadelphia Eagles on April 28, 2019. Throughout his first training camp, he competed for a roster spot at linebacker against Nate Gerry, Zach Brown, L. J. Fort, Alex Singleton, and Asantay Brown. Defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz named Edwards the primary backup middle linebacker behind starter Nigel Bradham to open his rookie season.
Edwards made his regular-season debut on September 9, 2019, appearing on special teams in the Eagles’ home opener against the Washington Redskins. He earned his first defensive action on October 13 against the Minnesota Vikings and later made his first career start at outside linebacker in place of the injured Bradham at Buffalo. He finished his rookie season with thirty combined tackles and four starts across sixteen games.
Philadelphia Eagles Breakthrough (2020-2022)
In 2020, Edwards entered training camp as a candidate for the starting middle linebacker role. Head coach Doug Pederson named him the starter alongside outside linebackers Nate Gerry and Duke Riley. After a hamstring injury sent him to injured reserve in October, Edwards returned later that month and delivered standout performances, including a team-high thirteen tackles and a strip-sack against Dallas that resulted in a 53-yard fumble return touchdown. He also recorded his first career interception against Washington in Week 17.
The 2021 season featured more big moments for Edwards. Against the Carolina Panthers in Week 5, he blocked a punt in the fourth quarter to help Philadelphia rally for a 21-18 victory and was named the NFC Special Teams Player of the Week. Against the New Orleans Saints in Week 11, he recorded both an interception and a fumble recovery. On November 22, 2021, the Eagles signed him to a one-year, $2.20 million contract extension.
In 2022, Edwards helped Philadelphia reach Super Bowl LVII, where the Eagles fell 38-35 to the Kansas City Chiefs. He finished the Super Bowl with six tackles and one pass defended, capping his strongest season as an Eagle.
Chicago Bears Era (2023-Present)
On March 13, 2023, the Chicago Bears signed Edwards to a three-year, $19.50 million contract that included $7.90 million guaranteed and a $4.50 million signing bonus. In his Bears debut on September 10 against the Green Bay Packers, he led the team with fourteen tackles. He later picked up his first interception as a Bear in Week 11 against the Detroit Lions.
In the 2024 season, Edwards started all seventeen games and recorded 129 tackles. Against the Tennessee Titans in Week 1, he tied a single-game career high with fifteen tackles and finished tied for first in the league in tackles for that week. On April 16, 2025, Edwards and the Bears agreed to a two-year, $20 million contract extension.
For the 2025 season, Edwards started in Week 2 and missed three games due to injury while continuing his role as a defensive leader for Chicago.
Driving Style and Strengths
Edwards is recognized for his strong run-stopping instincts, reliable tackling, and football IQ at inside linebacker. He pairs consistent positioning with the ability to contribute on special teams, including blocked punts and on-field tackling in coverage.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among the defining moments of his career are his first career interception against Washington in 2020, a game-winning blocked punt against Carolina in 2021, a Super Bowl LVII appearance in 2022, and a career-tying fifteen-tackle performance against Tennessee in 2024.
T.J. Edwards Career Wins
Throughout his NFL career, T.J. Edwards has been part of multiple winning seasons and postseason runs, including an NFC East title in 2019 and a Super Bowl LVII appearance in 2022. He has also delivered key regular-season victories through tackles for loss, interceptions, blocked punts, and fumble recoveries.
NFL Highlights
Edwards earned NFC Special Teams Player of the Week honors after his blocked punt against the Carolina Panthers in 2021. He recorded his first career interception against Washington in Week 17 of the 2020 season and added another interception against the New Orleans Saints in 2021. He reached the Super Bowl with Philadelphia in 2022 and produced a career-tying fifteen tackles against Tennessee in 2024.
T.J. Edwards Family
Personal Life
T.J. Edwards is a Christian. He got engaged to his girlfriend Kelly Jo in January 2022. The couple married in March 2023 at Pueblo Bonito Pacifica in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.
2025 Season Performance
T.J. Edwards entered the 2025 season as a starting inside linebacker for the Chicago Bears after agreeing to a two-year, $20 million contract extension in April 2025. He started in Week 2 and missed three games during the early portion of the schedule due to injury. Despite the missed time, he remained a central figure in the Bears’ defensive scheme.
His role within the Bears’ defense continued to emphasize run support, tackling efficiency, and on-field communication. Edwards’ ability to log high tackle totals and contribute in key situations kept him in the middle of Chicago’s linebacker rotation heading into the latter portion of the 2025 campaign.
Looking ahead, Edwards is positioned to remain a core contributor for the Bears through the length of his new extension, providing veteran stability and tackling production for Chicago’s defense.