Tremaine Edmunds sounds like a man with something to prove in New York

The New York Giants entered the offseason with many positions that needed addresssing, with linebacker being one of them. After releasing Bobby Okereke, the search was on for a new inside linebacker in the John Harbaugh era. They ended up searching near the top of the free agency market, and ended up agreeing to terms with former Chicago Bears linebacker Tremaine Edmunds on a three-year, $36 million contract.

This move comes after the Bears released Edmunds from his contract, which happened after being floated in potential trades. Given the Giants' need at linebacker, Edmunds made perfect sense for the Giants.

While speaking with reporters on Thursday during his introductory news conference, Edmunds was asked about his exit from Chicago. While Edmunds said that the decision on the Bears was just "business", he did say he is "extremely happy" to head to New York and help bring them wins.

"That's how the business goes. The whole situation played out how it played out. I'm extremely grateful for this opportunity," said Edmunds. "Whatever happened, happened, as far as conversation-wise. We don't have to get into all of those details. It's more so just the opportunity I have now. I'm extremely happy just to be able to come in here and really do something that I feel like the city wants, and that's to win."

Tremaine Edmunds focused on winning with Giants after Bears departure

Edmunds was one of the top draft prospects in 2018 at just 19-years-old. Even though he's been in the league for eight seasons, he is still only 27 years old. After spending the first five years of his career with the Buffalo Bills, where he made the Pro Bowl twice (2019, 2020), Edmunds signed on with the Bears in 2023.

If Edmunds has shown anything, it's that he will get you over 100 tackles per season. In his three years in Chicago, Edmunds did record four interceptions twice.

This past regular season, Edmunds recorded 112 total tackles (61 solo, 51 assisted), nine pass breakups, and four interceptions in just 13 games. In pass coverage, Edmunds surrendered 51 receptions for 475 yards and three touchdowns on 64 targets, per Pro Football Focus.

Just before this season, Edmunds was released from the final year of his four-year, $72 million contract. By doing so, the Bears freed up $15 million in cap space. Whie the Bears moved on, the Giants swooped in to sign him to be their new middle linebacker.

Considering that Edmunds is still in the prime of his career, the hope is that he can only improve his game playing under Harbaugh and defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson. The defense needed an overhaul, especially considering how many blown leads the Giants had last season. The hope is that Edmunds could help the linebacking corps, which has been an area of weakness for quite some time.

Edmunds has moved on from his time with the Bears, and is excited to help the Giants get back to their winning ways.