After Klint Kubiak’s introductory news conference, linebacker has emerged as a growing priority for the Las Vegas Raiders this offseason. The first-year head coach said he is installing a new defensive vision, signaling a clear shift in approach.
“I do see us being a base three-four team,” Kubiak said. “I see us being able to play four down as well.”
With the Raiders’ linebacker corps thin, the front office will need to add meaningful talent at the position in 2026. The draft and free agency remain the most direct paths, but ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported a trade could also be in play.
That possibility gained traction at the NFL scouting combine, where teams buzzed about Chicago Bears linebacker Tremaine Edmunds. Chicago granted Edmunds permission to seek a trade last week, fueling the speculation.
The Raiders need 100-plus guaranteed tackles each year…
There is no such thing as a guarantee in the NFL, but Edmunds’ track record is hard to ignore. He is entering the final year of his contract, yet he has posted at least 100 tackles in each of his eight seasons and finished with 112 in 13 games last year despite missing time with a groin injury. With Las Vegas shifting schemes, a veteran linebacker who can align the front and communicate checks would be a clean fit in the middle of a 3-4 look.
Edmunds would bring leadership and proven production to a thin room, along with more impact in coverage than the Raiders got at the position a year ago. He had four interceptions last season and has the range to stay on the field in sub packages. If the Raiders land him, he would immediately raise the defense’s ceiling and give Maxx Crosby a legitimate running mate at the second level.
How much would a Tremaine Edmunds trade cost?
It is important to note Edmunds is entering the final year of his contract, which would make any trade more than a one-for-one roster move. If the Raiders acquire him, they would likely need to negotiate an extension to justify the cost. Edmunds signed a four-year, $72 million deal in 2023 after hitting the market as one of the top linebackers available.
The calculus is different now. Edmunds has more mileage, and projecting his next contract is less straightforward, especially with multiple teams reportedly involved. The Tennessee Titans and New York Giants have also been linked to interest, which could push the price higher.
Even so, Edmunds would represent a significant upgrade for a defense transitioning under Kubiak, giving Las Vegas a proven centerpiece at a position it needs to stabilize.
*Top Photo: Getty Images