Bears’ latest unheralded D-line gem? Mario Edwards Jr.

Mario Edwards Jr. picked the Bears in early September for many reasons — but mostly so he could rush the passer with an old friend.

SHARE Bears’ latest unheralded D-line gem? Mario Edwards Jr.
Mario Edwards was drafted by the Raiders five years ago.

Mario Edwards was drafted by the Raiders five years ago.

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Mario Edwards Jr. picked the Bears in early September for many reasons — but mostly so he could rush the passer with an old friend.

“When I found out the Bears were interested, it was good to come back and play with Khalil [Mack],” he said. “That was one of the main reasons I made my decision.”

On Sunday, his addition continued to pay off. Edwards got his first sack of the year against the Panthers on a third down in the fourth quarter, forcing a field goal that cut the Bears’ lead to seven. He’d made his presence felt earlier, too, hitting the quarterback in games against the Falcons and Buccaneers.

Edwards is the son of the former Cowboys cornerback of the same name. At one point, he was the top high school recruit in America before committing to Florida State.

After being drafted in the second round by the Raiders in 2015, Edwards lined up opposite Mack — the star was the right defensive end, Edwards was the left — from 2015 to 2017. A hip injury in his second season slowed him down, and Edwards spent 2018 with the Giants and last year with the Saints. Cut in September, the Bears pounced, needing defensive-line depth. They’ve used him as a pass-rush specialist in a lethal late-game lineup that includes Mack, Robert Quinn and Akiem Hicks.

“You really have to go out there and throw your best move right there because they have to pick their poison on who they want to slide to or double,” Edwards said. “So anybody can come free with the type of talent we have on that line.”

Edwards could be the latest reclamation project by defensive line coach Jay Rodgers, who last year turned journeyman Nick Williams into someone whom the Lions deemed worthy of a two-year, $10 million deal.

“That’s a credit to the culture we’ve built in the D-line room,’’ defensive tackle Bilal Nichols said. ‘‘We have a lot of talent; we’re able to sub guys out without any drop-off at all. 

After “Monday Night Football,” Edwards has the following game circled: against the Saints.

“If you love football,” he said, “you definitely have got to get fired up for a team that released you when you get a chance to play them again.”

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