Photo: All-Pro Reels, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons²

T.J. Edwards

Linebacker, Chicago Bears · #53.

Player facts

Team: Chicago Bears
Position: Linebacker
Number: 53
Born: Aug 12, 1996 (age 30)
Birthplace: Lake Villa, IL, USA
Height: 6' 0"
Weight: 228 lbs
College: Wisconsin
Experience: 8 seasons
Status: Active

Stats

2026 Defense

	TOT	SOLO	AST	SACK	FF	FR	INT	YDS	AVG	TD	LNG	PD	STF	STFYDS	KB
Regular Season	16	8	8	0	0	0	1	0	0.0	0	0	3	0	0	0
Last 5 Games	16	8	8	0	0	0	1	0	0.0	0	0	3	0	0	0
Career	756	426	330	12	4	6	8	52	6.5	1	34	31	50.5	65	1

Recent games

			Tackles				Fumbles		Interceptions
Date	Opponent	Result	TOT	SOLO	AST	SACK	FF	FR	INT	YDS	AVG	TD	LNG	PD	KB
Sun, Oct 11	@ GB	L 31-7	4	3	1	0	0	0	0	0	0.0	0	0	0	0
Sun, Oct 4	vs NYJ	W 23-12	4	1	3	0	0	0	0	0	0.0	0	0	0	0
Mon, Sep 28	vs PHI	W 27-7	3	2	1	0	0	0	1	0	0.0	0	0	3	0
Sun, Sep 20	vs MIN	L 9-3	4	2	2	0	0	0	0	0	0.0	0	0	0	0
Sun, Sep 13	@ CAR	W 59-37	1	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	0.0	0	0	0	0

Last 5 games. Click a game for its box score.

About

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.

From Wikipedia’s article on T. J. Edwards, shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.¹

Background

Early life

Edwards played quarterback at Lakes Community High School in Lake Villa, Illinois. His senior year, he also played three games at Safety. In his three games on defense, he posted 20 tackles, two TFLs, two sacks and an interception.

Despite playing quarterback in high school he recruited for college football as a defensive player. Edwards was originally committed to Western Michigan. However, in early December 2013 Edwards flipped his commitment to Wisconsin after being recruited by Wisconsin's defensive coordinator Dave Aranda.

College career

Edwards attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison where he played inside linebacker for the Wisconsin Badgers football team.

2014

Edwards redshirted his freshman year. At the end of the season the team was preparing to play against Auburn in the Outback Bowl. The younger players on the team received extra reps and UW's defensive coordinator Dave Aranda praised Edwards, saying "He was the MVP of that period, in my opinion."

2015

With 2014 starting inside linebackers Marcus Trotter and Derek Landisch graduating and needing to be replaced Edwards was thrown in the mix to become a starter. After spring practice Edwards had earned the starting role alongside Leon Jacobs.

In his redshirt freshman year Edwards started all 13 games. In the season opener Edwards tallied 12 tackles against Alabama. The next three games however he only recorded ten tackles. October 19 Edwards was named Big Ten freshman of the week for his performance against Purdue where he had 16 tackles, 1.5 tackles-for-loss and one forced fumble.

For the season Edwards led the team in tackles, recording 84, 6.5 tackles-for-loss and one forced fumble. At the end of the season Edwards was named to the Football Writers Association of America Freshman All-American team. He was also named honorable mention All-Big Ten by the coaches.

Personal life

Edwards is a Christian. He got engaged to his girlfriend Kelly Jo in January 2022. They got married in March 2023 at Pueblo Bonito Pacifica, Cabo San Lucas.

From Wikipedia’s article on T. J. Edwards, shared under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article.¹