Bills Ex Tremaine Edmunds Reveals 'Rebuild' Reasons for Departure

The Buffalo Bills are set to retain one of the AFC's best defenses this upcoming season, but that doesn't necessarily heal the wounds from one of the team's biggest offseason losses.

Sure, the departure from Buffalo of standout Pro Bowl linebacker Tremaine Edmunds was a bit expected considering the big pay day he warranted and the other teams willing to give him the money he earned after his fifth straight 100-tackle season.

But though the four-year, $72 million contract he signed with the Chicago Bears in March seems like more than enough reason to begin a new journey with a team that secured a NFL-worst 3-13 record in 2022, Edmunds revealed during an appearance on "NFL Total Access" that it was about more than that.

"I feel like individuals make the best moves when you're underestimated, and I wanted to go to a team where I could be part of a rebuild," he said. "I can be part of turning this thing around, man."

Edmunds, the No. 16 overall pick by the Bills in 2018, forged himself into one of the league's most consistent linebackers from day one. Along with never finishing a season with less than 100 total tackles and recorded 35 pass breakups in his five-year career with the Bills.

Already having proven himself time and agian at just 24-year-olds, he can certainly be a catalyst of the turnaround that's expected to take place for Chicago over the new few seasons.

"Just being a part of that and being a big part of that defense and being a big part of that rebuild, it made me want to be a part of it, for sure," he said.

The Bears defense certainly needs all the help it can get from Edmunds, who is projected to be one of the units definite leaders. Chicago allowed the the fourth-most total yards per game (375.9) and the second-most rushing yards per game (157.3) last season.

Helping fix that will be one of the first in-season steps for him on the path toward getting the legendary franchise back to postseason contention.

You can follow Zach Dimmitt on Twitter at @ZachDimmitt7

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