The Chicago Bears faced some significant setbacks this offseason, including the unexpected retirement of center Drew Dalman. Though he spent just one season in Chicago, Dalman left a lasting impression on teammates and head coach Ben Johnson.

The 27-year-old decided to walk away from professional football despite having two years remaining on his contract. The Bears signed him to a three-year deal worth $42 million to lead the offensive line. Dalman arrived in Chicago in March 2025 after four years with the Atlanta Falcons.

The Pro Bowl center helped turn the Bears’ offensive line into one of the NFL’s most improved units in 2025. He provided protection that allowed quarterback Caleb Williams to have a breakout season. Williams was sacked only 24 times, down from 68 in 2024. The second-year QB also set a franchise record with 3,942 passing yards.

Chicago Bears’ Ben Johnson reflects on Drew Dalman’s impact

 Johnson recently shared his thoughts on Dalman’s retirement. He praised the former center for his major role in the team’s stellar season.

“He’s a big reason why we were able to get the plane off the ground last year,” the second-year coach said via Mark Carman of the CHGO Bears podcast. “We will forever be grateful for him.”

In 2025, the Bears finished 11‑6 after a 5‑12 record the previous year. They scored 441 points, the third-highest in franchise history. The Bears captured the NFC North title and won their first playoff game in 15 years.

Chicago’s offensive line was the key to its success last season, with Dalman playing all 1,154 of the team’s offensive plays. For offensive linemen—particularly the center—who are responsible for protection calls, availability and consistency are crucial.

To fill the void in the offensive line, veteran center Garrett Bradbury was acquired via a trade with the New England Patriots. The Bears traded a 2027 fifth-round draft pick to the Patriots for the 30-year-old offensive lineman.

Bradbury is joining the Bears after a standout 2025 season with the Patriots. He started all 17 games last season. Across 642 pass-blocking snaps, he allowed zero sacks or penalties. The experienced center played a key role in helping the team reach the Super Bowl.

Johnson believes Bradbury will quickly adapt to the team and make an immediate impact on the offense.

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The Chicago Bears dramatically improved in the 2025 season, finishing 11‑6 after a 3‑14 record the previous year. They won the NFC North title and recorded the team’s first playoff victory in 15 years. At the center of this historic turnaround was quarterback Caleb Williams, who excelled behind an improved offensive line.

Williams emerged as a breakout star last season, establishing himself as one of the NFL’s top young quarterbacks. In his sophomore campaign, the 24-year-old set a Bears passing record with 3,942 yards, surpassing Erik Kramer’s 3,838-yard mark.

Over 17 games, he threw 27 touchdowns against seven interceptions, averaging 231.9 yards per game. He was also sacked just 24 times, a dramatic drop from the 68 he endured in his rookie season.

Much of this dramatic improvement came from center Drew Dalman, who joined the Bears from the Atlanta Falcons last March. Dalman, who earned his first career Pro Bowl nod in 2025, led the team’s rebuilt offensive line and organized blocking schemes. He helped keep Williams protected all season, dramatically reducing the number of sacks he took.

Chicago Bears QB Caleb Williams saddened by Drew Dalman’s retirement, posts emotional tribute

Dalman signed a three-year, $42 million contract with the Bears, but his time in Chicago ended after just one season. According to ESPN, the veteran center notified the team that he is retiring from the NFL. Dalman’s decision to retire at 27 came as a surprise to Williams and the rest of the team.

The news saddened Williams, who had developed a close personal bond with the center. Upon hearing the news, he took to social media to share his reaction. The quarterback posted a photo on his Instagram stories showing him and Dalman shaking hands on the field, accompanied by a personal message.

‘There he is’… 4eva! Appreciate you! And gonna miss ya big guy!! Enjoy retirement,” Williams wrote.

Williams nicknamed his 2025 starting offensive line “The Avengers,” calling Dalman The Hulk to represent his strength and intelligence. The rest of the team included left tackle Ozzy Trapilo as Wolverine, left guard Joe Thuney as Doctor Strange, right guard Jonah Jackson as Red Hulk, and right tackle Darnell Wright as Winter Soldier, or Bucky.

Dalman’s retirement leaves the Chicago Bears with a big hole to fill before the 2026 season. The move frees up several million in salary cap space. However, the Bears must still find a new Hulk to protect their star quarterback.

As the Bears work to replace him, Dalman’s legacy remains tied to the season that cemented Williams as the team’s cornerstone quarterback.

The post Chicago Bears QB Caleb Williams’ message after major career announcement appeared first on ChiCitySports.

Last off-season, the Chicago Bears signed center Drew Dalman to a three-year $42 million contract. Their hope, of course, was that he would help solidify their interior offensive line. And he certainly did. Dalman anchored a Bears offensive line that emerged as one of the best in the NFL. He even made his first career Pro Bowl.

Unfortunately, it will also be his last Pro Bowl selection. On Tuesday, it was reported that Dalman decided to retire from the NFL at the young age of 27.

Obviously, this news came as a shock to fans. Aside from that, though, it puts the Bears in a position to fill another need on top of the ones they already had.

Reason for Chicago Bears center Drew Dalman retirement revealed

Of course, at the time his retirement was announced, no reason for it was given. Neither the Bears organization nor Dalman have gone on record with an explanation for his decision.

However, Chicago insider Carmen Vitali revealed on The Score Chicago:

“The Chicago Bears were kind of trying to steer Drew Dalman in another direction … they did not want Drew Dalman to retire.

“The notion that I got from people close to the situation was … listen, his dad was a player. His dad was a coach. He has seen what this game can do to you in your life after football, and for better or for worse, this man is a Stanford man. He’s very very smart. He knows what that toll can be. He’s seen it first hand.”

As can be seen from this explanation, Dalman retired because he was concerned about the effects the game of football would have on his body and his future. This, of course, is a more than understandable reason for stepping away from the game. There are far too many stories of former professional football players being permanently disabled due to injuries suffered during their careers.

By stepping away from the NFL, Dalman is ensuring that he can be a present and healthy father to his children and husband to his wife.

To be sure, fans are well within their right to be disappointed that they cannot watch him play football anymore. But at the end of the day, it is his body and his future, and he made the decision that he felt was best for him and his family.

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Follow me on Twitter at @theotherRobin19, and follow us @ChiCitySports23. You can also reach out to Robin Adams via email at robadams14@gmail.com. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in ALL of Chicago sports, click here! Chicago Bears, Chicago Bulls, Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox, Chicago Blackhawks

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Last off-season, the Chicago Bears signed free agent center Drew Dalman to help fix their woeful offensive line. He certainly played a huge role in the unit’s turnaround, making the Pro Bowl in his first season with the Bears. It also turns out that his first year in Chicago is also his last. Despite having two more seasons left on his contract, the 27-year-old surprisingly retired from the NFL yesterday.

Obviously, this decision leaves the Bears with a glaring hole to fill. The can, of course, look in the NFL Draft for a center because this year’s crop of interior offensive linemen is pretty deep.

However, Chicago may want a veteran center for the time being as they continue their quest to take their next step to Super Bowl contention. If this is the case, there are several affordable options on the impending free agent market.

1. Tyler Biadasz

Chicago did not waste any time looking for a replacement at center. Not long after Dalman’s retirement was reported, it was also announced that they were hosting Tyler Biadasz on a visit:

The #Bears are hosting free agent center Tyler Biadasz on a visit, source said. The former #Commanders starter was recently released and now is available before the frenzy begins. pic.twitter.com/83dx8sec4X

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 3, 2026

Biadasz, who went to college at Wisconsin, was recently released by the Washington Commanders. He spent the first four seasons of his career with the Dallas Cowboys and made a Pro Bowl in 2022.

As a bonus: it is pretty well-known that Chicago’s rival, the Green Bay Packers, are interested in Biadasz. Ryan Poles could swipe one of their few free agent targets right out from under them.

2. Sean Rhyan

Speaking of the Packers, they are not expected to bring back impending free agent interior lineman Sean Rhyan. A former third round pick, Rhyan has experience mostly as a guard in the NFL.

However, when Green Bay’s starting center, Elgton Jenkins, went down with a broken leg midway through last season, Rhyan was the one the Packers chose to fill that role.

He performed admirably, though far from perfectly. If Chicago were to go this route, they could sign him to a short-term contract and allowing him to play while they draft and develop their center of the future.

Worst case scenario: they sign him and he ends up being an above-average guard for the Bears.

3. Cade Mays

Cade Mays started his career with the Carolina Panthers as an offensive guard. Over the last two years, though, he has been their starting center.

The concern here, though, is that he has not played a full 17 games in a season once in his four-year career. That being said, that is part of what makes him so affordable in free agency.

PFF gave Mays a 69.4 pass blocking grade in 2025, which ranked 13th among centers. However, he also had a 58.4 run blocking grade, which ranked 33rd among centers.

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For More Chicago Sports

Follow me on Twitter at @theotherRobin19, and follow us @ChiCitySports23. You can also reach out to Robin Adams via email at robadams14@gmail.com. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in ALL of Chicago sports, click here! Chicago Bears, Chicago Bulls, Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox, Chicago Blackhawks

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The Chicago Bears might have to make a change of plans before the 2026 NFL Draft.

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Going into the offseason, the Bears knew they needed to add a left tackle after Ozzy Trapilo suffered a knee injury that is expected to keep him out for most of the 2026 season.

The Bears could add a left tackle in free agency or draft help in the first round.

However, Chicago has a pressing need at center.

Per ESPN’s Adam Schefter, center Drew Dalman is retiring.

ESPN sources: Bears Pro Bowl center Drew Dalman has informed the team that he is retiring from the NFL at age 27,” Schefter posted on X. “Dalman left Stanford in 2021, and after four seasons in Atlanta and one in Chicago, he has made the sudden and surprising decision to retire.

“The Bears signed Drew Dalman to a three-year, $42M contract last offseason, and he turned in a Pro Bowl season, starting all 17 games and playing all 1,154 offensive snaps. And now he makes the stunning decision to step away.”

The Bears signed Drew Dalman to a three-year, $42M contract last offseason, and he turned in a Pro Bowl season, starting all 17 games and playing all 1,154 offensive snaps.

And now he makes the stunning decision to step away. https://t.co/fqtBCq5ewX

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 3, 2026

Drew Dalman’s retirement causes problems for Chicago Bears

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Last offseason, the Bears addressed the interior portion of the offensive line, trading for Jonah Jackson and Joe Thuney at guard. Center, which had been an issue for Chicago for a few seasons, appeared to be fixed for the long-term with the Bears signed Dalman, a free agent from the Atlanta Falcons.

Dalman was a fifth-round pick by the Falcons in 2021. He earned his first Pro Bowl appearance in 2025. He started in all 17 games for Chicago last season.

Dalman appeared in 74 games and started in 57 during his five years in the league.

Per Pro Football Focus, Dalman was graded as the No. 6 center for 2025.

Carmen Vitali of Fox Sports added context to the decision, saying Dalman made an informed choice to exit the league early.

“Drew’s dad was a player and a coach,” she posted on X. “He’s seen first-hand life after football and the effects the game can have. If anyone is going to make an informed decision on when it’s time to hang ‘em up, it’s Drew. Happy for him. Sad for the Bears.”

It’ll be interesting to see how the Bears address their needs after Dalman’s retirement. Like in previous years, Chicago has holes all over the trenches.

The post Chicago Bears starter suddenly retires before 2026 NFL Draft appeared first on ChiCitySports.

The Chicago Bears appear to have the building blocks of a successful franchise going forward on the field. With talent littered throughout the 53-man roster, the franchise is ready to continue improving going into the 2026 offseason. However, it is important to take a look back at what went right with the Bears last year, and there are certainly things pointing in the right direction.

Let’s take a deeper dive into how one underrated player ended up as one of the best in the league at his position.

PFF ranks Drew Dalman as the eighth-best center for the 2025 season

Pro Football Focus wrote an article ranking the top 10 centers from the previous season. Chicago saw Drew Dalman finish eighth in the NFL with a 72.8 PFF grade. Below is the section they wrote about Dalman’s performance throughout the 2025 season:

“Dalman spent his first four seasons in Atlanta before signing a three-year deal with the Bears in 2025. Not only did he play every offensive snap for the team this season, but he was also named to his first Pro Bowl. Dalman is another center on this list who has struggled in pass protection, although he earned a career-best 67.3 PFF pass-blocking grade this season. He allowed the third-most pressures at the position (31), at a rate of 4.2% (third highest on this list).

“Dalman shines as a run blocker, where he generated the sixth-lowest defeated rate in 2025 (11.8%). He’s best in zone schemes, where he earned an eighth-ranked 79.2 PFF run-blocking grade. Since 2023, Dalman ranks sixth in PFF run-blocking grade (88.2).”

The improvement on the offensive line was a massive reason for the improvement the team showcased over the previous season. He signed a three-year, $42 million contract with Chicago last offseason, so it will be intriguing to see if he can maintain an outstanding level in the middle of the offensive line.

The post PFF ranks this Chicago Bears star top 10 at the position for 2025 season appeared first on ChiCitySports.

The Chicago Bears made a handful of free agent signings last offseason that helped the franchise take a massive step in the right direction this year. With the team being able to step up this season, they saw some players take a massive step forward. Chicago was solid with their free agent additions, so let’s take a look at what one publication claimed was the team’s best addition from the previous offseason.

Drew Dalman was named the Chicago Bears’ best free agent signing of last offseason

In an article discussing each team’s best and worst free agent signings from last year, Pro Football Focus’s Bradley Locker wrote that center Drew Dalman is the Bears’ best free agent signing.

“The Bears’ offensive line was one of the top in the NFL, and it started in the middle with Dalman’s excellence. The former Falcon ranked seventh among qualified centers with a 72.7 overall PFF grade, and his 0.31 Wins Above Replacement were the third-most.”

In March 2025, Dalman signed a three-year, $42 million contract with $28 million being guaranteed. Dalman played in 1,154 offensive snaps during the season and recorded just three penalties and allowed one sack. There is a reason Chicago’s center was named as a starter for the 2026 Pro Bowl. Dalman has showcased the ability to keep the center of the offensive line going strong as he can help either interior offensive lineman with protection. Because of Dalman, the Bears have been able to ask quarterback Caleb Williams to do more with additional time in the pocket or open up holes for the run game.

With Chicago investing in its offensive line last season, it will be intriguing to see how the team is able to continue to improve the roster heading into the 2026 offseason.

The post NFL Free Agency: Chicago Bears’ best free agent signing in 2025 revealed appeared first on ChiCitySports.

The Chicago Bears finished the 2025 NFL season 11-6, won the NFC North, and were the second seed in the NFC. It was one of the most successful turnarounds in the league this year. In 2024, before hiring Ben Johnson as their head coach, Chicago was 5-12 and finished in last place in their division.

Of course, there were multiple reasons for the turnaround, and Johnson played a major role in shifting the culture on the Bears from one of perpetual losing to one of grit, determination, and winning.

But the addition of new players on the roster also helped the team improve from 2024 to 2025.

PFF identifies the best and worst Chicago Bears free agent signings in 2025

In 2024, Chicago had one of the worst offensive lines in the NFL. But 2025 saw them have one of the league’s best, and the addition of Drew Dalman as their center played a major role in that turnaround. In fact, PFF has decided that he was the team’s best free agent signing of the year:

“The Bears’ offensive line was one of the top in the NFL, and it started in the middle with Dalman’s excellence. The former Falcon ranked seventh among qualified centers with a 72.7 overall PFF grade, and his 0.31 Wins Above Replacement were the third-most.”

But while the offensive line was stout, the defensive line, as a unit, was a bit disappointing, especially since the Bears spent valuable free agent dollars on pass rusher Grady Jarrett:

“On the flip side, Chicago’s defensive line underperformed this season — and the addition of Jarrett didn’t pan out. Dalman’s teammate in Atlanta was signed to a three-year, $43.5 million deal but produced a 56.9 overall PFF grade, including a 41.9 PFF run-defense mark.”

Winning in the trenches is the most important quality of Super Bowl contending teams. If the Bears want to take another big step in 2026, they are going to need their offensive line, led by Dalman, to continue their dominance. However, they are going to need more out of Jarrett or add better pieces than him.

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Follow me on Twitter at @theotherRobin19, and follow us @ChiCitySports23. You can also reach out to Robin Adams via email at robadams14@gmail.com. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in ALL of Chicago sports, click here! Chicago Bears, Chicago Bulls, Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox, Chicago Blackhawks

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The Chicago Bears revamped the offensive line last offseason, to outstanding returns.

In head coach Ben Johnson’s first season at the helm, after signing top free agent center Drew Dalman, and trading for veteran guards Joe Thuney and Jonah Jackson, the interior of the Chicago Bears’ offensive line became the driving force of a franchise renaissance. After all, Caleb Williams went for being sacked 68 times as a rookie, to just 2024 this past season, which is a remarkable turnaround.

Beyond keeping Williams upright, the offensive line helped power backs D’Andre Swift and Kyle Monangai into becoming the NFL’s sixth-leading rushing offense.

Chicago Bears’ Drew Dalman disappoints in playoff loss to the Los Angeles Rams

For the most part, Dalman was stellar this season.

The former Atlanta Falcons stalwart this season, allowing just one sack, one quarterback hit, and 24 quarterback pressures as the centerpiece of the Bears’ revamped line.

Dalman was even voted to the Pro Bowl, where he’ll represent the Bears next month.

However, against the Rams, Dalman regressed. Dramatically.

According to Pro Football Focus, Dalman was the Bears’ second-lowest graded offensive player, garnering a 44.1 overall grade.

In the biggest game of the Bears’ season, the overtime loss that wound up ending it, Dalman wasn’t the same player he had been for much of the 2025 campaign.

The post Chicago Bears’ major offseason acquisition went bust in loss to Los Angeles Rams appeared first on ChiCitySports.

The Chicago Bears have seen a lot of improvement this season, as they made savvy free agent signings to bolster the roster. One of the more underrated moves last offseason was Chicago signing center Drew Dalman to a multi-year contract to improve the offensive line. This move gave quarterback Caleb Williams protection and the Bears someone to build around the offensive line. One major outlet is giving him his flowers, so let’s take a look at who is giving Dalman some love right now.

Chicago Bears’ Drew Dalman was named one of the top free agent signings from last offseason

Pro Football Focus NFL Contributor Bradley Locker published an article ranking the top 20 free-agent signings from last offseason. Below is his snippet regarding the Bears’ signing of Dalman.

“The Bears have been one of the darlings of the NFL, and for good reason. Head coach Ben Johnson has guided a marvelous turnaround for NFC North-leading Chicago, and his revamped offensive personnel has been a catalyst. That includes Dalman in the middle. The ex-Falcon has played like one of the best centers in the league in his first year working with Caleb Williams. Dalman’s 78.4 overall PFF grade is sixth among qualified centers, and he’s one of four at the position with a 71.0-plus PFF pass- and run-blocking mark. Additionally, his 0.39 WAR is third among his counterparts. The Bears field the league’s fourth-highest-graded offensive line, and Dalman is an inextricable part of that.”

Dalman signed a three-year, $42 million contract with $28 million guaranteed last offseason. In addition to what was said, he has committed three penalties and allowed one sack in 1,033 offensive snaps played this season. He has showcased the ability to keep the offense going and protect the middle of the line. With his abilities at center, the Bears have looked like more of a juggernaut offensively. It will be intriguing to see if he can continue this type of production as the postseason gets closer.

The post Chicago Bears landed one of the best NFL free agent signings of 2025 offseason, per PFF appeared first on ChiCitySports.

The true MVP’s of the Chicago Bears’ statement victory over the Philadelphia Eagles was the offensive line. The Bears’ offensive line dominated a very good Eagles defensive front all four quarters.

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Specifically, the run blocking was on an elite level on Black Friday. Running backs D’Andre Swift and Kyle Monangai ran for over 120 yards each with a touchdown, something that hasn’t been done in Chicago since the 1985 season.

The Bears’ offensive line unit has been among the very best in the NFL. ESPN’s Dan Orlovsky gave the team major credit for their dominating performance against the Eagles’ defensive line.

The Chicago Bears had the most dominating offensive line performance of the 2025 season

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The former Detroit Lions quarterback gave immense praise to the Bears’ run protection. Stating that it was the most dominating offensive line performance of the entire season. He also went on to give praise for Ben Johnson and the entire offense.

The ESPN analyst said that the Bears’ offense is a unit that he would not want to play against, due to how well the offensive line has been.

“The offensive line is in the conversation for the best offensive line in football. When it comes to the run game, no one has pushed around Philly the way this Chicago Bears offensive line has.”

Orlovsky brought up multiple examples where Darnell Wright and Jonah Jackson were able to move star Eagles defender Jalen Carter five yard off the ball, making room for huge runs for Swift and Monangai.

Most dominant OL performance of the season was the @ChicagoBears

When was the last time you saw this Eagles DL moved this way?!?!@Espngreeny pic.twitter.com/PbPzk7XvWA

— Dan Orlovsky (@danorlovsky7) December 1, 2025

A remarkable turnaround for the offensive line

With the additions of Jackson, Joe Thuney, and Drew Dalman, the Bears’ offensive line has seen one of the most remarkable turnarounds I’ve ever seen. All three offseason additions along with Wright are having Pro Bowl caliber seasons.

The Bears have also seemed to resolve the issue at left tackle. Rookie Ozzy Trapilo made his first start against Pittsburgh two weeks ago and has thrived in the role since. Trapilo has held his own against two very good defenses and has played better than both Braxton Jones and Theo Benedet.

The offensive line has been a major factor to the team’s success in 2025 and it continues to get better every single week.

The post The Chicago Bears offensive line has become one of the very best in the NFL appeared first on ChiCitySports.

The Chicago Bears‘ dominance along the line of scrimmage has been a driving force behind head coach Ben Johnson’s climb to the top of the NFC North standings.

Chicago enters Saturday’s clash against the Pittsburgh Steelers boasting the league’s No. 2 ranked ground attack and a top-five offense that has seen quarterback Caleb Williams save some of his best moments for the final moments of games, powering five come-from-behind victories.

However, Sunday afternoon will be a critical test for just how seriously to take the Bears’ revamped line and suddenly explosive offense with a season-defining stretch of games still to come.

Chicago Bears’ offensive line could hold key to beating Steelers

Bears general manager Ryan Poles prioritized fortifying the offensive line in front of Williams, and upgrading the talent along the line of scrimmage, so far to tremendous returns.

All-Pro Joe Thuney has been advertised while veterans Drew Dalman and Jonaha Jackson have been stabilizing forces, and Williams has done his part by avoiding sacks and evading pressure when it does come in the pocket.

However, according to Pro Football Focus, Sunday will be one of Chicago’s biggest tests yet, up front, and winning the line of scrimmage against the Steelers could be the biggest key to winning the game.

“The Bears’ offensive line has been in top form in 2025,” Thomas Valentine writes for PFF. “Ranking sixth in PFF pass-blocking grade (70.0) and fifth in PFF run-blocking grade (76.0). The unit has significantly contributed to the Bears’ ascent, but it will take on a Steelers’ defensive line that houses talent.

“The Steelers’ defense is third in PFF pass-rushing grade (87.2 grade) and 10th in PFF run-defense grade (69.5 grade), and third in pass-rush win rate (55.5%). The battle will be won in the trenches.”

 

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If the Steelers are able to hold serve against the likes of T.J. Watt and Cam Heyward, it will go a long way towards validating Chicago’s early season success, and a huge step towards a potential playoff berth, as well.

The post Chicago Bears’ Red-Hot Offensive Line Faces Its Toughest Test Yet vs. Steelers’ Elite Pass Rush appeared first on ChiCitySports.

The Chicago Bears should feel good on Sunday after winning a fourth consecutive game. The Bears defeated the New Orleans Saints 26-14 in front of 58,102 fans at Soldier Field to improve to 4-2 on the season.

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The Bears raced out to a 20-0 lead, but let the Saints back into the game in the third quarter. Mistakes by the offense and defense allowed New Orleans to cut the lead to 20-14, but Chicago managed two field goals in the second half to put the Saints away.

The Bears offense got the running game going, as D’Andre Swift rushed for 124 yards and one touchdown on 19 carries. Chicago recorded 222 rushing yards, with 81 coming from rookie Kyle Monangai.

The passing game left much to be desired. Caleb Williams went 15-of-26 for 172 yards and one interception. In his postgame news conference, head coach Ben Johnson noted his concern about the efficiency of the passing game.

Drew Dalman had a bad game

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Williams and the offensive line were out of rhythm throughout the contest. Center Drew Dalman botched a pair of snaps on Sunday, including on a 4th-and-1 play in the red zone in the third quarter that resulted in a false start, prompting Chicago to kick a field goal to make it a 23-14 game.

third down and Drew Dalman just… doesn't give Caleb Williams the ball pic.twitter.com/9Y8Kj4NifZ

— Christian D'Andrea (@TrainIsland) October 19, 2025

Per Zack Pearson of Bear Report, Dalman pointed the finger at himself for the bad center-quarterback exchange.

“Bears center Drew Dalman says the snap issues were 100% on him today,” Pearson posted no X. “Said he wasn’t on the right cadence.”

#Bears center Drew Dalman says the snap issues were 100% on him today. Said he wasn’t on the right cadence.

— Zack Pearson (@Zack_Pearson) October 19, 2025

The Bears gave Dalman a three-year, $42 million contract to avoid issues like that at center. Unfortunately, Dalman has been making mistakes almost every game this season.

The Chicago Bears have much to clean up in Week 8

The cadence was an issue in training camp. It’s an ugly problem in the regular season for a Bears team that looks like a contender for a wild spot in the NFC.

Chicago has plenty to clean up before playing the Baltimore Ravens in Week 8. The Bears were penalized 10 times for 92 yards.

Fortunately for Chicago, defensive coordinator Dennis Allen had his unit ready to play the team that fired him as head coach last season. The Bears won the turnover battle 4-1, and lead the league in takeaways with 15 takeaways through six games.

For More Chicago Sports:

Follow me on Twitter at @JordanSig, and follow us @ChiCitySports23. You can also reach out to Jordan Sigler via email at jordanmsigler@gmail.com. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in ALL of Chicago sports, click here! Chicago Bears, Chicago Bulls, Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox, Chicago Blackhawks

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The Chicago Bears have had major expectations for the 2025 season. Just two weeks in, it has been a major disappointment. The 0-2 Bears have started the season with two embarrassing losses. In Week 1, the team had a brutal collapse in a very winnable game against the Minnesota Vikings. In Week 2, the team was mauled by the Detroit Lions in a 52-21 loss.

Many positional groups and players have failed to live up to expectations already. The defensive line has been nonexistent, giving quarterbacks way too much time to throw the ball. The secondary has been badly injured, with Jaylon Johnson and Kyler Gordon both banged up. The offense, including Caleb Williams, has shown some bright spots, but has still been very underwhelming due to poor offensive line play.

According to Chicago Sports Network and 670 The Score’s David Haugh, the Bears’ offensive line has been the biggest disappointment so far this season.

The Chicago Bears offensive line has failed to live up to the hype

During the 2024 season, the Bears’ offensive line was hands down the worst in the NFL. The offensive line gave up a franchise record of 68 sacks, leaving quarterback Caleb Williams running for his life on many occasions.

Bears general manager Ryan Poles spent the offseason attempting to fix the offensive line. Poles invested heavily in the offensive line. He signed Drew Dalman and Jonah Jackson to expensive contracts and traded for All-Pro guard Joe Thuney. On paper, this was a major upgrade. However, through two games, it’s been the exact opposite.

On a recent episode of The Chicago Lead, Haugh said that he did not think that the offensive line “has done its part and lived up to the bargain.” Haugh said that he believes the Bears’ offensive line has been the biggest disappointment through the first two weeks of the season.

"I don't think the offensive line has done its part and lived up to the bargain."

The Bears invested heavily in the offensive line this offseason. Which is why @DavidHaugh says they've been the most disappointing position group so far this season.#ChicagoLead pic.twitter.com/EzeONMt6aO

— Bears on CHSN (@CHSN_Bears) September 17, 2025

Ryan Poles invested heavily in the offensive line, yet the same mistakes are happening

Haugh mentioned how the offensive line struggled heavily in run blocking during last Sunday’s loss against Detroit. He mentioned how center Drew Dalman could not make enough room for one yard on a third-and-short play, leaving the team unable to get a first down. The offensive line has struggled to create holes for running back D’Andre Swift. Swift has struggled in the first two games as well, due to the bad run blocking.

The offensive line is still struggling to protect Caleb Williams as well. The team gave up 11 pressures, with Braxton Jones giving up an abysmal eight pressures last Sunday.

CHSN’s Clay Harbor posted via X that the Bears’ offensive line has now moved down to 24th overall in Pro Football Focus’ rankings.

The Bears O-line fell another two spots to 24 in PFFs rankings.

The Bears allowed 11 pressures 8 were on Braxton Jones. Jones allowed pressure on 19.5% of passes which was the 2nd worst in the NFL Week 2.

Darnell Wrights 90.7 PFF run-block grade led all RTs in Week 2. #DaBears

— Clay Harbor (@clayharbs82) September 17, 2025

Another major issue the offensive line has had is committing penalties. Multiple false starts and holding penalties during key moments in the game. This has to stop already.

It’s understandable why some think the Bears’ offensive line has been the biggest disappointment so far in 2025. One of the many things that needs to be fixed in order for the Bears to turn the season around is the offensive line, which needs to improve their play.

The post Chicago Bears insider believes this positional group has been the biggest disappointment appeared first on ChiCitySports.

The Chicago Bears are entering training camp once again being lauded as offseason champions. However, head coach Ben Johnson and company understand that offseason rankings don’t hang banners. At the same time, it’s hard to ignore the work Chicago put in over the offseason.

For starters, the Bears hired Johnson as their head coach. It was clear quarterback Caleb Williams needed more stability, and the franchise provided that with one of the best offensive minds in the league. Furthermore, the team bolstered both their offensive and defensive lines while adding a pair of tantalizing playmakers in the draft.

Training camp will be extremely telling of the Bears’ immediate future. But at least in Matt Bowen of ESPN’s book, Chicago is entering camp having made three of the best 50 offseason moves. Their Joe Thuney trade got the most praise, ranking No. 3 overall.

“A culture-setter in the offensive line room, Thuney upgrades a critical need for the Bears on the interior of their front,” Bowen wrote. “With a pass block win rate of at least 98% over his past three seasons, Thuney is still viewed as one of the top guards in the league after a brief stint at left tackle for the Chiefs last season. And his presence will keep the pocket firm for second-year quarterback Caleb Williams.”

Chicago Bears hit jackpot with Joe Thuney 

Williams was sacked a league-high 68 times during his rookie season. While the quarterback wasn’t faultless, his offensive line did him no favors. Adding a player of Thuney’s caliber gives the Bears a true offensive line building block to work with.

The left guard is coming to Chicago having already won four Super Bowl titles. Despite entering his age-33 season, Thuney is playing at the top of his game. He has made three straight Pro Bowls and has been voted an All-Pro in back-to-back seasons. During the 2024 campaign, Thuney’s 79.9 grade from Pro Football Focus ranked 12/136 guards.

Alongside his work on the field, Thuney will also be a crucial leader for the Bears. For as much hype as they’ve received, Johnson is just a first-year head coach whereas Williams is entering his second season. Whenever things get rocky on the offensive side, they could turn to a seasoned veteran like Thuney for guidance.

With Williams as their franchise star, the Bears did everything in their power to build the offense around him. Trading for Thuney proved Chicago was serious about giving their QB a much better blocking scheme.

Drew Dalman, Dayo Odeyingbo make the list 

Also helping Williams stay upright in the pocket will be center Drew Dalman. The Bears signed him to a three-year, $42 million contract over the offseason. Bowen was high on the signing, as Dalman should help fortify the middle of Chicago’s offensive line for the foreseeable future. The center came in at No. 32 on the list.

“The Bears continued to address the interior of the offensive front with Dalman, the top center available in free agency,” Bowen wrote. “He wins his assignments with movement and leverage to offset a smaller frame (6-3, 300 pounds). He is a technician on the tape, best suited for the wide zone run game under new coach Ben Johnson in Chicago.”

“Dalman’s pass block win rate of 95.1% ranked ninth among centers with at least 500 snaps last season,” he concluded.”

Pass rusher Dayo Odeyingbo’s, three-year, $48 million signing rounded out the Bears trio, being ranked as the No. 43 overall move. The 25-year-old showed flashes of greatness while with the Indianapolis Colts, putting up eight sacks in 2023 and 46 total quarterback hits over his four years with the team. Now in the Windy City, Odeyingbo is only expected to get stronger playing next to Montez Sweat.

“At 6-foot-6 and 286 pounds, Odeyingbo has the physical tools to play the defensive end position opposite of Montez Sweat in Dennis Allen’s scheme,” Bowen wrote. “Odeyingbo will also kick inside to rush the passer out of loaded fronts as a hard match-up for interior offensive linemen. He has played all 17 games in each of his past three seasons, racking up 16 sacks and 21 total tackles for loss over that stretch.”

Ultimately, all three additions and everyone on the Bears must prove to be strong fits in Johnson’s new scheme. But at least on paper, things are looking much brighter in the Windy City.

The post Insider argues Chicago Bears made 3 of top 50 moves in 2025 NFL offseason appeared first on ChiCitySports.

The Chicago Bears thought they secured the center position when they signed Drew Dalman to a three-year deal worth $42 million in free agency. He and the new-look interior offensive line have much to show early in training camp.

Dalman is set to be the fifth-starting Week 1 center in six seasons. The others were Coleman Shelton, Lucas Patrick, Sam Mustipher, and Cody Whitehair.

Dalman was thought to be the best center in free agency this offseason, but he’s struggling with the most important duty a center has: Snapping the football.

Drew Dalman is having a hard time snapping the ball

Per Zack Pearson of Bear Report, there were several bad snaps at Thursday’s practice.

“There were actually a couple of bad snaps on the day,” Pearson said. “You can just tell that the cadence isn’t fully there yet for this offense.

Neither is fortification that was expected when the Bears traded for veteran offensive guards Jonah Jackson and Joe Thuney, a future Hall of Fame lineman.

The Chicago Bears’ new-look interior OL has the same problem

In addition to Dalman airmailing snaps to Williams, the interior offensive line had issues blocking defensive tackle Grady Jarrett. The No. 1 pick in the 2024 draft could have easily been injured while falling to avoid pressure early in training camp.

“It was another tough day for the offense on Thursday,” Pearson wrote. “They had a rough 11/11 period to open up the practice which included: Grady Jarrett pressure, reset to get re-huddled, bad snap over Williams’ shoulder, incompletion, scramble that saw Williams fall down trying to escape. It went about as bad as it could have gone without a turnover.”

It was expected that an offense with young players like Williams, Rome Odunze, Colston Loveland, Luther Burden III, and Ozzy Trapilo would have hiccups in the early part of camp. However, it’s a little concerning that an interior offensive line that was handed $145.5 million this offseason is struggling this poorly in July.

Overall, the offense has started poorly through the first two days of practice.

On the flip side, Jarrett and the defense look good!

For More Chicago Sports:

Follow me on Twitter at @JordanSig, and follow us @ChiCitySports23. You can also reach out to Jordan Sigler via email at jordanmsigler@gmail.com. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in ALL of Chicago sports, click here! Chicago Bears, Chicago Bulls, Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox, Chicago Blackhawks

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Ben Johnson is preparing to craft a new legacy with the Chicago Bears. However, he’ll always be remembered for the offensive masterclass he put together with the Detroit Lions.

At the center of that success, quite literally, was center Frank Ragnow. He played seven seasons with the Lions, including all the years when Johnson was Detroit’s offensive coordinator. On Monday, Ragnow decided to officially retire.

Johnson and Ragnow’s time together came to an end after the 2024 campaign. However, the head coach will never forget what the offensive lineman brought on and off the gridiron. On Wednesday, Johnson took an opportunity to address Ragnow’s retirement and explain what made him such a special player, via the team’s press conference on X, formerly Twitter.

“I don’t know if I’ve been around a tougher player in my life than him,” Johnson said. “He was a pleasure to coach, pleasure to be around. He makes everyone around him better. The number of injuries that he had and he was still able to play through is pretty remarkable. Whether you were in the locker room with him or you competed against him, everybody in this league had a high level of respect for him.”

Ben Johnson on Frank Ragnow retiring:

“I don’t know if I’ve ever been around a tougher player.”

— CHGO Bears (@CHGO_Bears) June 3, 2025

Frank Ragnow’s NFL journey 

After being named a two-time First-team All-American at Arkansas, the Lions selected Ragnow with the No. 20 overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft. He made an immediate impact as a rookie, starting all 16 games. Ragnow officially moved to center in 2019 and begun seeing even further success.

From 2020-2024, Ragnow was named to the Pro Bowl ever season except 2021, where he only appeared in four games due to a toe injury. The offensive lineman was named Second-team All-Pro in three of those seasons.

The 2024 campaign was one of those seasons, as the center continued being an elite option for the Lions. Ragnow’s 85.3 grade from Pro Football Focus ranked third/64 centers. He was dominant as a run blocker, ranking third with his 90.8 grade.

Still, injuries had taken their toll over Ragnow’s career. Overall, he decided it was time for his body to get some rest. Ragnow made 96 total starts over his NFL career and earned the respect of all who lined up next to or across from him.

Chicago Bears’ Drew Dalman attempting to be next great center

As Johnson begins his Bears tenure, Drew Dalman will be his new offensive line building block at center. Chicago signed him to a three-year, $42 million contract almost immediately after the legal tampering window opened. Only 26-years-old, Chicago is confident Dalman will be a key piece of Caleb Williams’ blocking scheme for the foreseeable future.

He certainly proved why the Bears were so willing to dole out a new contract in his final season with the Atlanta Falcons. While an ankle injury limited him to just nine games, Dalman’s 78.8 grade from PFF still ranked fourth/64 centers. His 79.8 run block grade ranked fifth.

Johnson helped the Lions finish sixth in rushing, averaging 146.4 yards per game. The Falcons were right behind them at 10th, averaging 130.5 YPG. Bijan Robinson had a breakout campaign, rushing for 1,456 yards and 14 touchdowns. While Dalman can’t take all the credit, it’s an indication of what his presence provides to the run game.

By the way Johnson describes him, it may be hard for Dalman to match Ragnow’s toughness. However, the Bears are simply looking for strong and consistent play from the interior of their offensive line. If Dalman lives up to the hype, Johnson has found yet another star center to coach.

The post Chicago Bears’ Ben Johnson breaks silence on shocking Lions retirement appeared first on ChiCitySports.

Once Ben Johnson was officially hired as the Chicago Bears head coach, the team was aggressive in bolstering their offensive line. One of their biggest moves was signing center Drew Dalman to a three-year, $42 million contract.

When Dalman entered the free agent market, he was considered one of, if not the best center option available. And at just 26-years-old, he is now expecting to be a focal point of quarterback Caleb Williams’ blocking scheme for the foreseeable future.

Johnson has hand selected every new addition to the Bears’ roster. And with Dalman now in the fold, Dalton Wasserman of Pro Football Focus expects the head coach to employ his preferred brand of rushing attack in Chicago.

“The Bears overhauled their interior offensive line this offseason, and nobody is a better fit for Ben Johnson’s offense than their new center, Drew Dalman, who is one of the best outside zone blockers in the NFL,” Wasserman wrote. “His 94.3 run-blocking grade in those concepts since 2023 ranks second among centers and fourth among all offensive linemen. That bodes well considering Johnson called outside zone runs at the fourth-highest rate in the NFL last season.”

Drew Dalman bolsters Chicago Bears run game 

Chicago’s new-look offensive line will largely be judged by how many times Williams is sacked, especially after allowing a league-high 68 in 2024. However, the Bears must also show massive improvements in the run game, coming off a season in which they ranked 25th in total rushing, averaging 102 yards per game.

The Falcons on the other hand finished 10th in rushing, averaging 130.5 yards per game. Bijan Robinson had a breakout season, blowing blast his career-highs with 1,456 yards and 14 touchdowns. While Dalman can’t take all the credit, he played a pivotal role in helping Atlanta become a rushing force.

The center can take credit for his overall strong play throughout the 2024 campaign. While an ankle injury limited him to just nine games, Dalman still earned a 78.8 grade from Pro Football Focus, ranking fourth/64 centers. His 79.8 run blocking grade ranked fifth/64 centers.

In Johnson’s final year with the Detroit Lions, the team finished sixth in rushing, averaging 146.4 yards per game. Both Jahmyr Gibbs (16) and David Montgomery (12) broke 10 rushing touchdowns. The former ran for 1,412 yards while the latter had 775. While that’s not to say D’Andre Swift and Roschon Johnson will match those numbers, it at least shows how important the run game is to Johnson.

The Bears wanted to completely change their offensive vision, starting with the hiring of Johnson. And almost immediately after the legal tampering window opened, they made sure to bounce on Dalman. The center’s connection with Williams will be crucial as the team develops their new-look offense. But if things go how Johnson and Chicago are planning, Dalman will be a pivotal part of any Bears success.

The post Why key Chicago Bears free agent is perfect Ben Johnson fit appeared first on ChiCitySports.

One of the most significant parts of the 2025 offseason for the Chicago Bears was how much they invested in the trenches. General Manager Ryan Poles wasted no time improving the offensive line.

The Bears’ offensive line was among, if not the worst, in all of football last year. Quarterback Caleb Williams was running for his life throughout his rookie season and was sacked a franchise record 68 times. The offensive line struggled badly blocking the run, and also dealt with numerous injuries during the 2024 season.

It was no question that the Bears needed to completely revitalize the offensive line, and Chicago’s general manager did exactly that during this offseason.

The Chicago Bears have one of the most improved offensive lines in the NFL

Ryan Poles and Ben Johnson’s priority this offseason was to completely turn around the interior of the offensive line.

Andrew Ites of Pro Football Focus explained that the Bears have one of the most improved offensive lines in the NFL. Ites believes the most impactful move of the entire Bears offseason was the signing of Drew Dalman.

“The Bears’ most impactful move of the offseason may be the signing of Drew Dalman, who was PFF’s fifth-highest-graded center last year following a stellar 2023 season in which he finished as the fourth-highest-graded player at the position.”

The Bears have struggled heavily at center for a long time, and Dalman should change that instantly.

The other two key moves that Poles made were trading for All-Pro guard Joe Thuney and Pro Bowl guard Jonah Jackson.

“The headline move was trading for two-time All-Pro Joe Thuney, who has been one of the most consistent offensive linemen in the NFL, with a 74.2 PFF overall grade or higher in every season since 2017. ”

“General manager Ryan Poles also traded a sixth-round pick to reunite Jonah Jackson with his old offensive coordinator. Jackson hasn’t graded above 70.0 in any season of his career, but with Johnson knowing the player well from their time together in Detroit, the organization will hope to get the best out of him in Chicago.”

Thuney still has some good years left in him and will be a valuable leader for the offense, It would not be surprising if he gets a contract extension soon. Jackson had the best season of his career under Ben Johnson and needs to have a bounce-back season in 2025, following his disappointing stint with the Los Angeles Rams.

With a much improved offensive line, Caleb Williams has high expectations for 2025

“Considering all of these moves along the offensive line and the addition of some offensive weaponry with their first two picks in the 2025 NFL Draft, Chicago should expect to see a major leap from second-year quarterback Caleb Williams.” Ites said.

The second-year quarterback should see growth in the passing game in 2025 due to the improvements made along the interior offensive line. Thuney and Dalman are excellent pass-blockers and should be able to make the young quarterback’s life much easier in 2025.

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The Chicago Bears front office has made reloading the offensive line a priority this offseason and they have done so in multiple ways. General manager Ryan Poles hit the trade market hard the week before free agency opened up by acquiring Joe Thuney from the Chiefs and Jonah Jackson from the Rams. The two veterans will handle the guard spots for Caleb Williams ahead of his second NFL season.

Once free agency was in full swing, Poles added the final piece to the puzzle for Chicago’s offensive front. He went out and signed center Drew Dalman to a three-year deal after spending the first four seasons of his career with the Atlanta Falcons. Williams was dropped a league-high 68 times last season and the Bears could never seem to get their run game going on a consistent basis, so these changes up front were much needed.

Despite Chicago having a set group to protect Williams for the upcoming season, the front office still has to have the future of the unit in mind. They drafted a project tackle in last year’s draft and many were wondering what their approach would be for the 2025 class. Poles selected two offensive linemen last weekend, one of which was a second-round draft choice that he already has a plan for.

Chicago Bears GM Ryan Poles has a plan for Ozzy Trapilo

When Poles went on ESPN 1000 on Thursday morning, Trapilo was a topic of conversation. The general manager said his plan is to start the Boston College product out at left tackle and that they will go from there. With current starting left tackle Braxton Jones having a season ending injury back in December, it is important for Trapilo to hit the ground running at the position in case he needs to be ready to roll early on in the fall.

Trapilo was taken with the 56th overall pick in the second round by Chicago. It was a pick the Bears acquired in a trade back with the Bills and is one that could work out well for them down the road. Trapilo is a big guy, as he stands at six-foot-eight and weighs 316 pounds. The Boston College connection to Poles certainly helped the prospect’s case in becoming a Bear, but his ceiling in the second round makes him a promising piece to the organization’s future.

Trapilo has more experience at right tackle, which makes this announcement from Poles rather interesting. He did start 10 games at left tackle in 2022, but he spent most of his time at the collegiate level on the other side. Many believed that Darnell Wright would flip to left tackle to allow Trapilo to slide into his natural spot, but there is a different vision from the coaching staff and front office moving forward.

Ozzy Trapilo could be a big part of the Chicago Bears future

Based on when he was selected and his projectable frame, Trapilo could be a major part of Chicago’s offensive line in the future. Jones is on the last year of his current contract and if the front office isn’t sold on what he can bring to the table on a second deal, it could provide a perfect opportunity for Trapilo to take his place.

It’s great that the Bears have a solid offensive line in place for 2025, but the future needs to be kept in mind at all times and depth is always a good thing to have up front. Kiran Amegadjie was taken in the third round last season and he too is viewed as a project for this coaching staff.

While Amegadjie struggled mightily when given a spot start in December against the Vikings, he could always transition to being a guard if it helps the franchise down the road. Luke Newman was the second lineman drafted by the Chicago Bears last weekend in the sixth round out of Michigan State. He too will play on the inside and can hopefully serve as depth for the unit in his time with the organization.

The post Chicago Bears GM has a clear plan for second round draft pick on the offensive line appeared first on ChiCitySports.

Last year’s protection unit for Chicago Bears’ rookie quarterback Caleb Williams will not be back this fall, and it’s very easy to see why. The former number one overall draft pick was sacked a league-high 68 times a year ago and he received plenty of criticism because of the games where his numbers suffered because of this.

Williams finished the season starting in all 18 games, which many people were shocked by because of the consistent hits he took on a weekly basis. The former USC Trojan was the first rookie quarterback in Chicago Bears history to complete a campaign with over 3,000 yards passing. His final yardage mark sat at 3,541 to pair with 20 touchdowns and six interceptions.

In order to get the most out of Williams in new head coach Ben Johnson’s scheme, general manager Ryan Poles knew he needed to go out and make multiple moves earlier on this offseason. Through the trade market and free agency, the front office went to work in upgrading the protection unit for Williams and they already want to keep an addition around beyond this upcoming season.

Chicago Bears GM says extending Joe Thuney is a “priority”

Along with preparing for the draft, Poles made it known that extending Joe Thuney is a “priority” at some point before camp gets fully underway at the end of the summer. The veteran was the biggest splash that Poles made this offseason among three other important additions on the offensive line. Thuney was acquired less than a week before free agency opened up last month from the Chiefs in exchange for a fourth-round draft pick in 2026.

Thuney is a three-time Pro Bowler, two-time All-Pro, and four-time Super Bowl champion and is set to enter his 10th season in the NFL this fall. Despite being 32 years old, he has put together one fantastic season after another and has experience protecting the two greatest signal callers the game has ever seen.

Getting the privilege to block for Tom Brady and Patrick Mahomes has put Thuney’s name among the best protectors in the NFL, and he still has plenty to offer for the Bears. He is durable, as he played in 17 games for the Chiefs a season ago. The lone contest he did not play in was in Week 18 against the Broncos when Kansas City had already locked up the top seed in the AFC.

Thuney ranked 12th overall among all NFL guards last season with a 79.9 PFF grade. He finished fifth in the pass blocking department, which is huge for the Bears moving forward.

The Chicago Bears O-Line needs depth with Joe Thuney and company

Along with the additions of Drew Dalman and Jonah Jackson, Chicago appears to be all set up front in protecting Williams this season. However, depth was a major issue from them last year, and that is something that should be fully addressed before the preseason hits.

There are guys in the offensive line room right now like last year’s third-round draft pick, Kiran Amegadjie, who is viewed as a project by those within the organization. Him being thrusted into a starting role at the last second in December against the Vikings did not end well, and Poles wants to avoid a situation like that happening again this upcoming season.

The post Chicago Bears GM says extending veteran is a ‘priority’ appeared first on ChiCitySports.

The Chicago Bears have plenty of scenarios to run through with the 10th pick in the first round of the draft in Green Bay in two weeks. The front office loaded up in the trenches through free agency and trades last month and they’ll have plenty of flexibility in the first two days in the draft because of that.

Ryan Poles brought in the three new offensive lineman needed to protect Caleb Williams ahead of his second NFL season. Williams was sacked a league-high 68 times as a rookie last season, but the hope is that the new personnel brought in will prevent that from happening this fall.

Joe Thuney and Jonah Jackson were acquired a week before free agency opened up to take care of the guard vacancies on the Bears’ roster. As soon as free agency began, the front office finalized the line by signing center Drew Dalman to a three-year deal.

On the other side of the ball, new defensive coordinator Dennis Allen got some help on his line with the additions of Grady Jarrett and Dayo Odeyingbo. Allen’s scheme thrives on getting pressure to the opposing quarterback early and often, so bringing in more pass rushing help was important to address.

The Chicago Bears can add more to their fantastic offseason so far with the 10th pick. While their top choice will likely be off the board by the time they are on the clock, they can get help in bolstering the stock of their selection from a marquee position.

Shedeur Sanders and Jaxson Dart could help the Chicago Bears

While the Bears don’t need a new quarterback anytime soon, the stock of this class can impact the 10th pick big time. Cam Ward is currently the favorite to go number one overall to the Titans, but the rest of the quarterback crop is a mystery. Some mock drafts have only one quarterback going in the first round, where others have four being taken.

Sanders is viewed as a polarizing prospect in this draft. He could go in the top ten, or not in the first round at all. With the Giants signing veterans Jameis Winston and Russell Wilson, the odds of Sanders heading to New York is slim. The latest CBS mock draft has Sanders going at seven to the Jets, which is huge for the Bears.

The more demand these prospects are in the top ten, the more it effects Chicago. This means that the 10th pick will come at a higher price if nobody is on the Bears’ big board at that spot and they want to trade down. The other option would be the board shaking Chicago’s way because of more quarterbacks going before 10.

Dart is a talent who has picked up steam over the past few weeks, but CBS doesn’t have the Ole Miss Rebel in the first round. Their mock has Dart landing with the Browns at 33, but other analysts have also had him going as high as seven to the Jets.

Jalen Milroe is quietly making noise in draft circles

Milroe is without a doubt the quarterback prospect that is the most all over the place in this draft. It is highly unlikely that he ends up anywhere near the top ten, but his stock is worth monitoring over the next two weeks. It is rumored that the Steelers are a big fan of his game and they could pursue him with the 21st overall pick in the first round.

CBS has Milroe going 65th overall to the Giants, which is the first selection in the third round. The ceiling for Milroe could have an organization make the jump to take him in the first round like what the Broncos did last year for Bo Nix.

The post Chicago Bears need 3 quarterback prospects stock to be higher than ever come draft time appeared first on ChiCitySports.

The Chicago Bears needed help in the trenches entering the 2025 offseason. General manager Ryan Poles showed his commitment to fixing the issue by adding three starters on the offensive line and two starters on the defensive line.

Adding Jonah Jackson, Joe Thuney, and Drew Dalman to the interior offensive line in March means Poles really only has one more position on the offensive line he could upgrade: left tackle. Signing defensive linemen Grady Jarrett and Dayo Oedyingbo in free agency gave the Bears ultimate flexibility ahead of the 2025 draft, where they own four picks in the first 72 selections.

NFL executive has warning for the Chicago Bears

Not everyone in the league is impressed with one signing the Bears made. Per Mike Sando of The Athletic, an NFL executive thinks center Drew Dalman isn’t a true fix for drop-back situations and is better suited for wide-zone blocking in the run game.

“Detroit did a lot of that, but with the keeper element that Caleb Williams enables, your cutback is going to be there,” this exec said. “Time will tell if their guard play enables the gap-scheme element as a complement. I do think the integrity of the pocket, with that center, will be compromised in dropback situations. I’d imagine they are planning on staying out of those situations as much as they can.”

Per Pro Football Focus, Dalman earned a 66.6 overall grade for pass protection in 2024, ranking 21st out of 64 centers. He was ranked fifth for run blocking and fourth overall.

Did the Bears overpay Drew Dalman?

Sando quoted another executive who thinks Thuney and Jackson were smart pickups but thinks the Bears overpaid Dalman, who signed a three-year deal worth $42 million.

“I applaud them for doing it the way they are doing it,” another exec said. “You get two proven commodities at guard, and the head coach (Ben Johnson) knows Jonah Jackson from Detroit. It’s an overpay for the center, but they have a chance to address left tackle in the draft and come away with a pretty formidable group.”

Overpays happen in free agency, but the Bears got their guy.

While the offensive line upgrades should help protect Caleb Williams, new head coach Ben Johnson wants an offense that can run the ball. If Dalman can use his strengths to improve a Chicago run game that struggled in 2024, that should ease the pass rush and the pressure on Williams.

For More Chicago Sports:

Follow me on Twitter at @JordanSig, and follow us @ChiCitySports23. You can also reach out to Jordan Sigler via email at jordanmsigler@gmail.com. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in ALL of Chicago sports, click here! Chicago Bears, Chicago Bulls, Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox, Chicago Blackhawks.

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The Chicago Bears, and namely quarterback Caleb Williams, have gotten plenty of praise for the franchise’s work over the offseason. However, this is still a Bears team coming off of a 5-12 campaign, and Williams’ rookie year didn’t live up to expectations.

Chicago has done everything they could to build around Williams. They hired an offensive minded head coach in Ben Johnson. Then, the Bears traded for guards Joe Thuney and Jonah Jackson before signing center Drew Dalman in free agency. So at least on paper, Chicago is in line for an offensive resurgence in 2025.

Still, Johnson and company must prove themselves and put in the work to see that come to fruition. There’s no banners hung for offseason champions. And one executive is concerned, even with the Bears’ new offensive line, about when Williams drops back to pass, via Mike Sando of The Athletic.

“Detroit did a lot of that, but with the keeper element that Caleb Williams enables, your cutback is going to be there,” this exec said. “Time will tell if their guard play enables the gap-scheme element as a complement. I do think the integrity of the pocket, with that center, will be compromised in dropback situations. I’d imagine they are planning on staying out of those situations as much as they can.”

Caleb Williams must take a step forward

Williams took a league-high 68 sacks as a rookie, leading to Chicago’s offensive line reform. However, the quarterback wasn’t completely faultless. Oftentimes, he held onto the ball too long, trying to make the big play. Ultimately, it gave opposing pass rushers too much time to get into the backfield.

So, when the executive says he thinks Williams will be compromised under center, that is partially the issue. Johnson’s first step in elevating the quarterback is helping him erase that issue.

But playing behind a paper mache offensive line, which an everchanging offensive scheme, it’s not hard to see why Williams felt like he had to take over games. Especially with the No. 1 pick label on his back. While he made strong reads and only threw six interceptions on the year, the quarterback also understood when the Bears needed a jolt of offense. Unfortunately for Chicago, those opportunities led to sacks more often than big plays.

Entering his sophomore season, there will be lofty expectations on Williams’ shoulders. Fans and analysts will be clamoring for immediate success. With a year of NFL experience under his belt, Williams at least understands what he will need to do to truly succeed at the NFL level.

Reasons for Chicago Bears offensive line optimism 

The executive in question is down on the Bears’ signing of Dalman. He did play in only nine games due to an ankle injury in 2024. And Chicago was still willing to pay him $42 million over three years.

However, the Bears signed Dalman hours into the legal tampering window. He was their first free agent agreement and a key early target. While the executive questions his scheme fit, Johnson has played a massive role in construction Chicago’s offensive thus far. Dalman may have been the consensus top center free agent, but it seems unlikely the Bears would sign him if he didn’t fit what Johnson was trying to do on offense.

And he won’t be coming to Chicago alone. Jackson has played for Johnson before, making a Pro Bowl in 2021. Thuney is a four-time Super Bowl champion and is coming off of back-to-back All-Pro seasons. All three will forever be linked in Bears lore. And all three have the same goal in mind, ensuring Chicago’s offensive line as a whole takes a major step forward.

Only 26-years-old, the Bears are planning on Dalman being the center piece of their line for the foreseeable future. A strong first season in Chicago would silence anyone doubting his Windy City fit.

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The 2025 draft at the end of the month is a huge opportunity for the Chicago Bears’ front office to attack any remaining holes in the roster. Free agency and the trade market for the Bears was mostly spent addressing the trenches. Two of the three open spots on the offensive line were taken care of a week before the free agency period officially opened up.

The team acquired guards Jonah Jackson and Joe Thuney in deals with the Rams and Chiefs that set up the center position as the only one that needed to be addressed in free agency. Drew Dalman was the final piece of the puzzle on the offensive line when he signed a three-year deal to be the organization’s new center on the first day of free agency.

Two major names that were added to the defensive line were veterans Grady Jarrett and Dayo Odeyingbo. Jarrett has spent all 10 years of his career so far with the Falcons and will add to the line’s interior that might allow Gervon Dexter to grab some more reps on the edge. Odeyingbo will turn 26 in September and is seen as a high-ceiling edge rusher who could thrive in Dennis Allen’s scheme.

Chicago Bears GM Ryan Poles likes the depth in this draft

When looking forward to the draft, general manager Ryan Poles is a big fan of the depth that comes with this crop of prospects. He knows that this draft could be huge for the Bears beyond the first round and has the capital to make a few splashes.

“The top blue (players), I think that’s condensed pretty small in (round) 1,” Poles said. And then there’s a wide range of really good starting level players that are going to range from probably single digits all the way to 50, 60, 70.”

Luckily for Poles, he holds three picks inside the top 41 selections and four inside the top 72. The Bears have selected a handful of immediate starters outside of the first round in Poles’ tenure, like Kyler Gordon and Jaquan Brisker.

While this is the most complete roster Poles has entering a draft in his time as the Bears’ general manager, these picks are just as crucial. The team is entering a new era with Ben Johnson now at the helm as head coach, and there is more pressure than ever to put a winning team on the field as soon as possible.

There are a couple of ways Ryan Poles could approach the draft

Ashton Jeanty would be an obvious choice for the Bears at the 10th overall selection if he makes it there. The Heisman Trophy runner-up from Boise State would add a whole new element to Johnson’s offense and be a major complementary piece to veteran D’Andre Swift.

If Jeanty is not available, the options get deeper for Chicago’s front office. They could add another weapon for Caleb Williams in either a wide receiver or Penn State tight end, Tyler Warren. If management isn’t sold on Braxton Jones at left tackle beyond this year, they could take a guy to develop behind him this year. The last likely choice would be a trade down to gather an extra asset or two moving forward.

The post Chicago Bears general manager thinks highly of the 2025 draft classes’ depth appeared first on ChiCitySports.

The Chicago Bears’ front office has done everything in their power to bolster the offensive line this offseason in preparation for Caleb Williams’ second NFL season. Williams was sacked a league-high 68 times as a rookie, and improving the line’s interior was a top priority for general manager Ryan Poles.

He addressed the guard positions in the trade market by bringing in Jonah Jackson from the Rams and four-time all-pro Joe Thuney from the Chiefs. Williams’ new center is a guy he will become very close with over the next few seasons. The Bears’ front office swung big on Drew Dalman in free agency by handing him a three-year deal with nearly $30 million guaranteed.

While the starting line appears to be set and ready to roll, the depth is still a bit questionable. With injuries galore up front a season ago, having some decent insurance on the bench is important for the 2025 squad. This group will be comprised of veterans and younger players, and one of them has the support of new head coach Ben Johnson entering camp this summer.

Ben Johnson has faith in Kiran Amegadjie

Kiran Amegadjie struggled when he was given opportunities in his rookie season with the Bears. The offensive tackle was a third-round draft choice last year out of Yale and is a local product from Hinsdale. The notable game where Amedgadjie had a tough time was the Monday night matchup on the road against Minnesota in December when he had to make a spot start in the place of an injured Braxton Jones.

Johnson talked about Amegadjie and the potential that he still believes that the 23-year-old has entering his second season in the league.

“I liked Kiran a lot coming out last year,” Johnson said. “He was a guy we had earmarked as a potential developmental prospect. He had a lot of traits to work with. We’re not discouraged at all by what he put on tape. He got put into some tough situations (in ’24).”

The Bears invested a day-two pick in Amegadjie last year, so it’s good to hear that Johnson sees a place for him on the roster further down the road. With all of the movement on the line this offseason and the depth brought in, Amegadjie won’t be forced to be thrust into situations that he is not ready for.

Kiran Amegadjie could move to the inside for the Chicago Bears

The best part of the Amegadjie experiment is that it doesn’t end with him being a tackle or not. He has the frame to make it work on the inside if all else fails, and the Bears’ staff could develop him into a future starting guard if any major injuries happen to Jackson or Thuney.

While the goal should be to keep working on Amegadjie as a tackle with Jones hitting free agency next season, there is a world where it just doesn’t work for him on the outside. There is also a possibility of the Bears drafting a tackle with the 10th overall pick in this month’s draft if Ashton Jeanty isn’t available, so that would alleviate pressure from Amegadjie in a big way moving forward.

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The Chicago Bears didn’t wait long to sign center Drew Dalman when the legal tampering window opened. But they didn’t stop there, signing defensive tackle Grady Jarrett amongst a slew of additions.

Only 26-years-old, Dalman is expected to be the centerpiece of Chicago’s offensive line for the foreseeable future. He was arguably the most coveted center in free agency and the Bears have gotten plenty of praise for the signing.

Jarrett has been in the NFL for 10 years and is entering his age-32 season. But you gain a lot of knowledge in that time. The Bears are attempting to rebuild their culture under new head coach Ben Johnson. And alongside his play on the field, how Jarrett operates as a leader will be pivotal.

Despite their many differences, Dalman and Jarrett do have something in common. They’re both coming to the Bears after beginning their careers with the Atlanta Falcons. As Dalman prepares to take over as Chicago’s new center, he’s grateful to have Jarrett to help ease his transition, via team reporter Larry Mayer.

“Super fortunate to be a teammate with Grady,” Dalman said. “Incredible player, incredible guy in the locker room. Absolute professional. I remember coming into Atlanta and seeing him go about his business and seeing him work, and I immediately understood like, ‘OK, this is the gold standard.’ And then in practice making me look silly dozens of times, exploiting my weaknesses, forcing me to learn from them and adapt to them, so that’s been invaluable in my development.”

“I look forward to practicing against him more,” Dalman continued. “He’s a guy that lets us know about our tells and our tendencies because he’ll pick up on them because he’s a savvy player in that way. I think he’s a huge resource for the offensive line in general.”

What Drew Dalman offers Chicago Bears

When the Bears traded for guards Jonah Jackson and Joe Thuney, it was clear they were going to be aggressive in improving their offensive line. By signing Dalman to a three-year, $42 million contract, Chicago completed their plan and ensured quarterback Caleb Williams would have a formidable wall in front of him.

Injuries limited Dalman to just nine games during the 2024 season. However, when he was on the gridiron, he earned a 78.8 grade from Pro Football Focus, ranking fourth/64 centers. His 79.8 run blocking grade ranked fifth/64. Furthermore, Dalman was a key component in helping running back Bijan Robinson gain 1,456 yards and 14 touchdowns.

The Bears as a whole finished their 2024 ranked 25th in rushing offense, averaging 102 yards per game. For D’Andre Swift or whoever is carrying the ball, Dalman must be a guiding light and find a way to open up the whole.

At 26-years-old, Chicago will build their offensive line around Dalman. What was once a major position of need has become a position of strength for the Bears.

What about Grady Jarrett

Dalman’s description of Jarrett shows exactly the type of role he will fill in Chicago. As a 10-year NFL veteran, Jarrett understands what works and what doesn’t at the NFL level. While he has never played outside of Atlanta, Jarrett will still be a valued veteran for any young player on the team. When times get tough, the Bears will rely on the defensive tackle.

But Chicago signed Jarrett for the work he provides on the gridiron. The 2024 season was a bit of a down campaign from the defensive tackle as he continued to work his way back from ACL surgery. But over his 10-year career with the Falcons, Jarrett racked up 496 tackles, 126 quarterback hits and 36.5 sacks.

Much like Dalman will help the run game, Jarrett will be the defensive version. Chicago ranked 28th in run defense in 2024, allowing 136.3 yards per game. Jarrett will be tasked with clogging up any holes in the middle and ensuring the runner doesn’t get downhill with a head of steam.

Ultimately, the Bears are looking to build a new culture under Johnson. Between his play on the field and leadership off of it, Jarrett will play a massive role in getting Chicago back on track. Dalman can’t wait to get back to work with his longtime teammate, this time with the Bears.

The post Chicago Bears center’s honest take on remaining teammates with Grady Jarrett appeared first on ChiCitySports.

The Chicago Bears are entering year two of the Caleb Williams era with much more hope than they had prior to his rookie season getting underway. Williams was sacked a league-high 68 times as a rookie and seemingly never once looked fully comfortable in whatever pocket he was provided. The team finished with a 5-12 record and concluded the season snapping an 11-game losing streak with a win against the Packers at Lambeau Field.

Williams completed the year with 3,541 yards passing with 20 touchdowns and six interceptions. Even though fans were hoping for over 4,000 pass yards from the former USC Trojan, he still became the first ever Bears rookie quarterback to throw for over 3,000 yards in a season.

Throughout the brutal losing streak, Williams did not make many mistakes with the football. He threw just one interception in the 11-game skid, and it came against the Seahawks in an abysmal Thursday night loss the day after Christmas.

Based on the numbers and how he dealt with adversity on numerous occasions, the case can be made that Williams did much better in his rookie year than how his fellow first-year signal callers would have done in the Windy City.

Former Chicago Bears’ TE Marcedes Lewis defends Caleb Williams

The third-oldest player in the NFL last season also happened to be a member of the Bears offense with Williams. Marcedes Lewis sat down on FS1 with Colin Cowherd and the 23-year-old quarterback was a major focus of their discussion. The veteran tight end had nothing but praise for Williams after having a tough introduction to the league.

“The firing of coaches, it was a lot going on and he was trying to do the best job he could,” Lewis said. “The offense obviously shifted midway through the season. I think obviously bringing Ben Johnson in and pairing him with Caleb’s ability to be who he is, and Ben get into his mind and create this offense around him…. I’m looking forward to it.”

Lewis also talked about the possibility of him returning to the Bears for a third season, which would be his 20th in the league. The 2006 first-round draft choice wasn’t much of a contributor in the pass catching game for Chicago a season ago, as he had one reception for two yards. Lewis is more of a blocking tight end and a leader in the locker room, but it is unknown if he’ll be wanted back with a new coaching staff in place.

The Chicago Bears have positioned Caleb Williams for success

The offensive line has been fixed up majorly for Williams ahead of his second NFL season. Ryan Poles went out and acquired Jonah Jackson and Joe Thuney in separate trades a week before free agency officially opened. They will each occupy a guard spot this season, paving the way for a massive signing at center in former Atlanta Falcon Drew Dalman as soon as the tampering window opened on March 10.

The tackles will remain the same with Braxton Jones and Darnell Wright holding the fort down against the edge rushers looking to get to Williams. When it comes to the weapons Williams has to work with, he will still have DJ Moore, Rome Odunze and Cole Kmet on the outside. More help could be coming on the ground and the third receiver might very well join the group at some point in the draft.

The post Former Chicago Bears tight end defends Caleb Williams’ rookie season appeared first on ChiCitySports.

Almost as soon as the legal tampering window opened up, the Chicago Bears pounced on longtime Atlanta Falcons center Drew Dalman. It was a testament to how General Manager Ryan Poles and company feel Dalman will fit on the offensive line.

Chicago signed the center to a three-year, $42 million contract. Only 26-years-old, he is expected to be the centerpiece of the Bears offensive line for years to come. And Dalman even took less money to come to Chicago.

It was clear from the Bears point of view why Dalman was such a strong target in free agency. But with the feeling was mutual, as Dalman sees the vision Chicago is building for the future, via Alyssa Barbieri of Bears Wire.

“The things that are most important to me with football [are] about the culture that I’m playing in and the people I’m playing next to, the vision for the team as a whole,” Dalman said during his introductory press conference. “All those things were top of mind for me as far as finding the next home.”

“On top of that, the Bears are a historic team, and this is an awesome town,” he continued. “That’s something I think everyone wants to be a part of. It’s made the whole thing really, really enticing for me.”

What Drew Dalman offers Chicago Bears 

Dalman was originally selected by the Falcons in the fourth-round of the 2021 NFL Draft. While he appeared in all 17 games as a rookie, Dalman didn’t earn a start. That changed came 2022, when the center started every game for the Falcons. Over his entire four-year NFL career in Atlanta, Dalman appeared in 57 games, starting 40 of them.

The center saw his 2024 cut short due to an ankle injury. However, he was mighty impressive over the nine games he appeared in. Dalman’s 78.8 grade from Pro Football Focus ranked fourth/64 centers. He was strong in the passing game, ranking 21/64 centers with a 66.6 grade. However, Dalman truly shined in the run game, as his 79.8 grade ranked fifth/64 centers.

As the Bears rebuilt their offensive line, their biggest goal was simply building a foundation. If Caleb Williams is going to become a star NFL quarterback, the pieces around him need to be sound. In Dalman, Chicago ensured that the middle of their offensive line is consistent for the foreseeable future. A rising player in the NFL, Dalman will grow with Williams.

The pair must have a strong connection for the Bears offense to really take off. But Dalman and Chicago have their minds simply on succeeding in 2025.

Offensive line completely revamped for 2025 

Dalman is replacing Coleman Shelton, who ended up returning to the Los Angeles Rams in free agency. Shelton earned a 66.4 grade from PFF, ranking 19/64 centers. While he was serviceable at times, the Chicago Bears were looking for a major upgrade at the center position.

Mainly because Williams was sacked a league-high 68 times in 2024. While fans and pundits will talk about Johnson’s explosive offensive capabilities, none of that is possible unless Williams is upright in the pocket. Dalman and the rest of the line will be ultimately judged by how many times Williams goes down.

But the Bears are counting on Dalman to continue shining in the run game. Chicago finished 2024 ranked 25th in rushing offense, averaging 102 yards per game. Dalman helped Bijan Robinson gain 1,456 yards and 14 touchdowns on the ground. For D’Andre Swift or whoever is toting the rock, Dalman’s contributions will be crucial.

While he may be the youngest of Chicago’s three offensive line additions, Dalman’s arrival may be the most crucial. Locked in with the Bears, the team will mold their offensive line around him. Dalman is up for the challenge and ready to help get the Bears back to the top of the NFC North.

The post Drew Dalman explains major Chicago Bears decision appeared first on ChiCitySports.

The Chicago Bears front office did everything they could in addressing the trenches when the new league year began last week. A fully revamped offensive line to protect Caleb Williams ahead of his second NFL season is the major takeaway in the flurry of moves that were made. The front office traded for guards Joe Thuney and Jonah Jackson while also signing the biggest free agent center on the open market in Drew Dalman.

The defensive line was taken care of as well, with Grady Jarrett coming over as a free agent from the Falcons and Dayo Odeyingbo inking a three-year deal to help Montez Sweat in the pass rush game. Both lines needed big time help, and these moves pave the way for what could be an exciting draft.

What the Bears should be at the running back position has brought out some mixed thoughts ahead of the draft. With the team set to draft 10th overall in the first round, many believe they could going with a backfield talent there. Others think that it would be wiser to stay in the trenches to have as much insurance as possible moving forward.

The Chicago Bears should not be scared to go running back early

With some fans worried about the 10th spot being too high for Chicago to select a running back, Bears writer Brad Biggs believes that there isn’t a pick that is too high for the team to address this massive need.

“I don’t know that any position is too high for the Bears, who have the 10th pick in Round 1, to draft a running back,” Biggs wrote. “But it will come down to draft grades for the players remaining on the board when they are on the clock. If the Bears have a grade on an offensive or defensive lineman that is similar to their grade for Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty (assuming he makes it to No. 10), can they really afford to take a running back?”

When talking about the draft grades that Ryan Poles will have for this class, it’s important to note that he will likely go for the best fit available based on the team’s competitive window beginning to open up. Even though this is a deep running back class, it has been proven over the past couple of drafts that the top end guys in each class win out. Biggs also believes that the Bears have no reason to panic about all of the top running back prospects being off the board before their second round selections.

“I can’t imagine the Bears are nervous about all of the top running backs possibly being gone by the time their second pick comes around at No. 39, Biggs wrote. “I’d imagine they’re excited and energized by the possibilities in this draft. There will be really good backs available in Round 3. It’s about identifying the players who fit specifically what they’re looking for and then stacking the draft board.”

If the Bears want a back that can be a game changer next to D’Andre Swift right away this season, they should look to take one in the first two rounds. While there is no saying a prospect drafted in the third round or later would not workout, they’ll know what they are getting in a first or second round talent much more from the jump.

Ashton Jeanty would be a great fit for the Chicago Bears at 10

Ashton Jeanty finished the 2024 season as the Heisman Trophy runner-up and was flat-out dominant in every way. He had 2,601 rushing yards on 374 carries, which averages out to 7.0 yards per rush. Jeanty ran for 29 scores and had six different games with at least three touchdowns. He fits the mold of a compliment back to Swift in a system like Ben Johnson’s that should feature two main ball carriers.

If the Bears want to go elsewhere at the running back position or Jeanty isn’t around at the 10th pick, they will have their options. They could go with North Carolina’s Omarion Hampton, but that would likely need be a selection made in the first round. The day two option that intrigues fans the most is Kaleb Johnson after he tore up the Big Ten in 2024.

The post Chicago Bears running back situation could go a couple of ways in the draft appeared first on ChiCitySports.

The Chicago Bears’ commitment to fortifying in the trenches is garnering praise inside the NFL, and out.

I asked a half-dozen NFL executives which team they believed has improved the most so far in free agency, and the Bears were a unanimous choice.

“They added big-time ‘trench players’ on both sides of the football,” an NFC South personnel executive told me.

As it turns out, trading for guards Jonah Jackson and Joe Thuney merely set the stage for general manager Ryan Poles and the Bears to pull off one of the more impressive free agent signings, and top schematic fits of free agency’s first wave.

 

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Chicago Bears’ Drew Dalman signing among best of NFL free agency

Pro Football Focus’ Mason Cameron put together a list of his favorite, and least favorite, free agent signings by each team, including praising the Bears for adding former Atlanta Falcons center Drew Dalman on Day 1.

“Dalman not only acts as the final piece to the Bears’ puzzle up front,” Cameron writes for PFF. “But he also profiles as perhaps the best scheme fit for any new free agent to sign with a new team this cycle. New head coach Ben Johnson’s fingerprints are all over this signing, and it bodes well for his team’s potential breakout in 2025.”

If he’s fully healthy, Dalman has the potential to not only be the anchor of the Bears’ overhauled offensive line, but perhaps even make a transformational impact on the entire offense.

After all, wunderkind former No. 1 overall pick Caleb Williams was sacked 68 times last season, and while it’s evident that Poles and the Bears have prioritized beefing up the offensive line in front of their franchise quarterback, a consistently dominant center can be the glue that holds the entire unit together.

Last season, Dalman surrendered only two sacks and 10 quarterback pressures, while garnering a strong 78.8 overall grade from Pro Football Focus.

If Dalman is able to replicate, and even build on that consistently high level of play, the $28 million guaranteed that the Bears paid the stalwart 26-year-old could prove to be a bargain.

The post “Final piece” Chicago Bears praised for top free agent signing appeared first on ChiCitySports.

When Week 1 of the regular season rolls around and the Chicago Bears take to the field, all eyes will be on quarterback Caleb Williams. However, it’s hard to see Williams reaching his natural ceiling if he has to be another year on his back.

As a rookie, Williams was sacked a league-high 68 times. While some of that was his fault, offensive line was a clear area of improvement for Chicago. And the Bears hit the ground running, trading for guards Jonah Jackson and Joe Thuney and then signing Drew Dalman to a $42 million contract.

After spending his entire career thus far with the Atlanta Falcons, Dalman is preparing for an entirely new challenge with the Bears. Alongside succeeding in all of his duties, Dalman understands that his performance will directly affect Williams’ supposed year two breakthrough, via Courtney Cronin of ESPN.

“I think the biggest things are your focus can only be on so many things at once, and there are things that his focus needs to be on and they can’t be on anybody else’s plate, and there are things that can be handled by other people,” Dalman said. “So things like the snap count, protection or the run game, the less he has to worry about it and the more we as an O-line can communicate together and diagnose together, the less he has to do it and the more he can focus on the things that are exclusive to him, and so I think that process played out a little bit with Mike and then I imagine it will carry over the same.”

What Drew Dalman brings to Chicago Bears 

Chicago wasted little time when the legal tampering window opened to bring in Dalman. It was clear he was considered a big fish by Bears decision makers. If he continues his performance over from 2024, the Bears will certainly be pleased with their decision.

An ankle injury held Dalman to just nine games in his final year with the Falcons. However, when he was on the gridiron, the center earned a 78.8 grade from Pro Football Focus, ranking fourth/64 centers. While his pass blocking could use some work, Dalman excelled in the run game, as his 79.8 grade ranked fifth/64 centers.

The Bears will certainly take the boost to their rushing attack. Chicago finished 2024 ranked eighth in rushing offense, averaging 102 yards per game.

But when it comes to Williams, Dalman knows he must step up. From the snap to the ball being released, center and quarterback must have strong communication. Signed to a three-year deal, Dalman will be the Bears center for the foreseeable future. But he’s hopeful him and Williams are cooking with gas far before contract talks come up again.

Caleb Williams prepares for year two

As a rookie, Williams completed 62.5 percent of his passes for 3,541 yards, 20 touchdowns and six interceptions. While he had better passing numbers than any year of Justin Fields as a starter, the quarterback struggled to truly find his No. 1 overall pick ceiling.

The problem was two-faced between player and organization. Williams cannot hold the ball as long as he did. Ultimately, the NFL is about quick decision makers and finding the best reads. As he prepares for his sophomore season, having more intent behind his decisions would do well for Williams.

However, he can’t do it alone, and the quarterback was hung up to dry as a rookie. The aforementioned offensive line problems only made matters worse. But Williams had to go through numerous different play callers. There was no semblance of a foundation set for Williams in year one.

But now the Chicago Bears have head coach Ben Johnson. His offensive schemes should provide some creativity while also creating a backbone of success. He has already maxed out the offensive line with players such as Dalman. The roster is far from complete, but it has a much more intriguing shine on it until 2024.

It’ll be up to Williams to put the pieces together and prove he’s a franchise quarterback. But his new offensive linemen are ready to do everything in their power to help carry the load.

The post How new Chicago Bears center will aid Caleb Williams’ year two breakout appeared first on ChiCitySports.

The Chicago Bears were determined to fix their offensive line in front of Caleb Williams. They started with a pair of trades for guards Joe Thuney and Jonah Jackson. But the cherry on top came when the Bears signed center Drew Dalman to a three-year, $42 million contract.

Dalman had spent his entire career with the Falcons up to this point. Only 26-years-old, the center is considered a rising player in the NFL and was one of the most coveted offensive lineman in free agency. Bringing him to Chicago ensures the Bears have their center in place for the foreseeable future.

Still only days into free agency and the Bears have already added three new players to their offensive line. With Dalman in tow, ESPN’s Dan Orlovsky now thinks Chicago has a top 10 unit.

“In a matter of a couple weeks, they’ve gone from a bottom 10 offensive line to what should be a top 10 offensive line in Chicago. For an offensive coordinator and now head coach Ben Johnson, that was the number one strength of his in Detroit and that’s where the creativity came from. Now, this is really a massive building block for Caleb Williams’ development.

“Hopefully now as a quarterback, you have so much trust up built in that offensive line, that part of your games becomes a secondary thought and the timing and rhythm of the offense becomes primary.”

Orlovsky was referring to Williams’ knack to hold onto the ball so long. With a more formidable front, the quarterback should have opportunities to make cleaner decisions.

From worst to first

It’s one thing to build an impressive offensive line. But it’s another to keep Caleb Williams upright in the pocket over a 17-game season.

Chicago did not do that in 2024, resulting in Williams being sacked a league-high 68 times. If the Bears are going to have a top 10 unit, simply the sack numbers must come down by a wide margin.

However, it was clear that the middle of the offensive line was the team’s biggest problem. Braxton Jones isn’t fully locked in at left tackle, but Darnell Wright has solidified the right side. The biggest question marks throughout the year were guards Matt Pryor and Teven Jenkins and center Shelton Coleman.

Replacing the guards with Thuney and Jackson should provide a major boost. Thuney is a four-time Super Bowl champion, a three-time Pro Bowl recipient and a two-time First-Team All-Pro seasons. Those All-Pro years came in 2023 and 2024, as Thuney has proven he still has plenty of gas left in the tank. He is one of the best guards in the NFL and a pivotal addition on the line.

Jackson isn’t as heralded as Thuney, especially after 2024. He played in just four games for the Los Angeles Rams as he battled through injury. When healthy, he was forced to play center rather than his natural guard. Jackson should be in his normal spot in 2025 and playing under a head coach he has experience with during their time on the Lions.

The Chicago Bears were desperate to bulk up in the middle. And their quest to rise up the offensive line rankings started with getting a pair of veterans up front.

What Drew Dalman offers Chicago Bears 

Dalman offers the Bears long-term assertion at the position, alongside a key starter from day one. While Jackson and Thuney can sign extensions, Dalman is undoubtedly locked in for the next three years. That will be key as Chicago continues to build their roster.

An ankle injury limited the center to just nine games in 2024. But when he was on the gridiron, he was dominant. Dalman earned a 78.8 grade from Pro Football Focus, which ranked fourth/64 centers. He was solid against the pass, earning a 66.6 grade.

But he was even better against the run, ranking fifth/64 centers with a 79.8 run blocking grade. Dalman was a crucial part of Falcons running back Bijan Robinson gaining 1,456 yards and 14 touchdowns. The Bears finished 2024 ranked 25th in rushing, averaging 102 yards per game. Dalman should be able to open up more holes for whoever is carrying the ball.

There will be plenty of expectations on Dalman’s shoulders and truly making the Chicago Bears a top 10 offensive line team might be a bit lofty. But the center, alongside Chicago’s fellow additions, are ready to hit the ground running and welcome in a new era of Bears football.

The post Chicago Bears get ‘top 10’ declaration after Drew Dalman signing appeared first on ChiCitySports.

The Chicago Bears wasted little time during the legal tampering window to agree to terms with former Atlanta Falcons center Drew Dalman. But the Bears weren’t the only team pursuing Dalman’s services.

Which makes sense, seeing as Dalman is only 26-years-old and considered one of the rising centers in the NFL. With plenty of cap space to spend, Chicago is landing Dalman on a three-year, $42 million contract.

However, the center got reportedly even bigger offers in free agency. Instead, he decided to turn them down, taking less money to join the Bears, via Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports.

“Chicago is signing free agency’s top center Drew Dalman to a three-year, $42 million deal, per CBS NFL insider Jonathan Jones. Jones reported the 26-year-old took less money to play under Johnson and block for 2024 first overall pick Caleb Williams.”

While the offers on the table weren’t listed, it’s clear Dalman had the Bears atop his free agency wish list.

Drew Dalman’s perfect opportunity with Chicago Bears

Dalman’s new contract makes him the second-highest paid center in the league. So even if it was a bit less money, it’s not like Chicago robbed him on his new deal. Furthermore, there is a clear opportunity for Dalman to shine the minute he steps onto Soldier Field.

The Bears were in desperate need of interior offensive line help entering the offseason. They addressed their two guard positions with trades for Joe Thuney and Jonah Jackson. However, both players are on short-term contracts. Dalman gives Chicago a key building block in the middle of their offensive line for years to come.

Blocking for a quarterback like Caleb Williams certainly intrigued the center. After watching him get sacked a league-high 68 times in 2024, Dalman knows that he can offer a bit more protection. His communication with Williams will be necessary for success. And becoming the center for a quarterback with star potential certainly has its perks.

But Dalman is also a menace in the run game, ranking fifth out of 64 centers with a 79.8 grade from Pro Football Focus. Whether it’s D’Andre Swift or another running back, the center will take pride in opening up running lanes. His addition completely changes the dynamic of Chicago’s offense.

Which is ultimately what Drew Dalman knows Ben Johnson wants to do. As the head coach brings his wizardry to the Bears, the center knew he couldn’t miss out on the show.

Bears on the rise in Dalman’s eyes 

Alongside any personal benefits Dalman saw from the Bears gig, to sign with a team, the center must truly believe in their potential. And if there were other offers on the table and he turned them down, then Dalman definitely sees the vision in Chicago.

It has been quite cloudy in the Windy City. The Bears haven’t made the playoffs since 2020 and haven’t advanced past the Wild Card Round since 2010. In that sense, it’s easy to doubt Dalman’s decision.

But it’s clear Chicago is taking things a bit more seriously this offseason. Switching their head coach is one thing, but bringing in someone like Johnson takes things into hyperdrive. He was arguably the most coveted coach in the hiring cycle. The Bears sold him on the idea of being future competitors.

Chicago has followed up on that signing but massively overhauling their offensive line. They are leaving no stone unturned in keeping Williams upright, with Dalman becoming the latest star. Furthermore, the team still has nearly $43 million to work with as they craft the rest of their roster.

Even with their additions, you’d be hard pressed to immediately call the Chicago Bears contenders. However, Drew Dalman likes what he sees. If he and his fellow offensive lineman give Chicago the improvements their expecting, maybe their timeline under Johnson speeds up a bit.

The post Drew Dalman made huge sacrifice to join Chicago Bears, per report appeared first on ChiCitySports.

At the end of the 2024 season, Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Poles was under intense scrutiny for the team’s lackluster talent and depth along the offensive line. Rookie quarterback Caleb Williams was sacked a league-high 68 times, as Chicago had immense and recurring issues on the offensive line, especially at the interior positions.

Nearly two months later and less than an hour into Monday’s free agency period, Poles has completely overhauled the Bears’ o-line with three proven and seasoned interior linemen that now gives the team one of the best line units in the NFL.

Ryan Poles overhauled Chicago’s offensive line

As the 2024 Bears’ season progressed, Poles began to garner more and more deserved criticism for not only his failed offensive line acquisitions but his handling of the offense as a whole. This included the approval of the hiring of offensive coordinator Shane Waldron, who was fired midway through the year, along with offensive guard Nate Davis being released halfway through an expensive three-year contract.

Bringing on linemen such as Ryan Bates, Coleman Shelton, and Matt Pryor as interior linemen who were expected to bring depth and some improved talent, completely flopped for Ryan Poles.

Not only did Poles oversee an offensive line that played a role in Williams being sacked over 68 times, but the line also allowed the most unblocked quarterback pressure. Chicago’s quarterback was sacked six or more times in five games, all of which were losses.

Analysts questioned if Ryan Poles deserved another offseason since he had not added multiple quality offensive linemen, despite having been in the role as general manager for three seasons prior.

With the hiring of former Detroit Lions offensive coordinator as the Bears’ head coach in January, there was added pressure on Ryan Poels to improve the offensive line this offseason, especially with Kansas City Chiefs offensive guard Trey Smith expected to reach free agency.

Despite the Chiefs tagging Smith a week a half ago, Poles still was able to impressively overhaul Chicago’s starting offensive line by trading for former Pro Bowler Jonah Jackson and All-Pro Joe Thuney while signing free agent center Drew Dalman on Monday. In over one week, the Bears added three interior starters who have been or are currently seen as top-tier talents at their respective positions.

Poles understands what is at stake

The acquisition of all three offensive linemen demonstrates Poles’ ability to understand what was at stake and his ability to respond to unexpected hardships, including Smith coming off the free agency board at the last moment.

Trading a mid and late-round selection over the next two years enabled Chicago to add to Pro Bowl-level starters in Jackson and Thuney, who have blocked for future Hall of Fame quarterbacks in Matthew Stafford and Patrick Mahomes. Dalman is seen as one of the league’s best true centers, something that the Bears have lacked since Ryan Poles became general manager back in 2022.

Even more impressive regarding the sudden and decisive overhaul of Chicago’s offensive line is the fact that many analysts and fans expected Poles to renovate the line through the NFL Draft. Although the Bears still could look to add depth via next month’s draft, it is apparent that Ryan Poles wants to avoid having to rely on inexperienced talent being leaned on to protect Caleb Williams.

By adding three proven and elite-level interior offensive linemen, Poles has also improved the play of Chicago’s two offensive tackles with Darnell Wright and Braxton Jones. There was a consistent debate on whether or not Jones and Wright struggled in 2024, as some fans believed the pair was trying to do too much from a pass protection standpoint to compensate for the interior line issues.

Following the week of activity by Poles, the starting tackles’ are in a much better position to succeed due to not having to worry about protecting Williams from any interior pass rush.

Poles  addressed the Chicago Bears long-term offensive concerns

The key aspect to adding the three interior linemen via trades and free agency is that Poles is looking to maximize Williams’ rookie contract while also accounting for Chicago’s long-term salary cap space health too.

The Bears avoid having to rely on a rookie offensive lineman’s potential struggles causing issues in pass or run blocking, hindering the overall success of the offense. Johnson and William can now focus on executing the offensive scheme without the fear of issues arising due to inexperience or an unexpected lack of talent due to the wrong draft projection being made.

Poles now can add offensive line prospects in the 2025, 2026, and 2027 NFL Drafts and allows the prospects to be fully acclimated into Chicago’s new offense without the fear of their growth being rushed immediately.

The only way a lineman prospect drafted in this year’s draft would be forced into starting action this year is if a signification injury transpires, compared to last year, where players were being forced into starting due to inept play.

Although Thuney and Jackson have one year remaining on their current deals, Ryan Poles will likely extend them to match Williams’ rookie contract that will run through 2029 if the team chooses to pick up his fifth-year option.

With Dalman’s contract being three years in length too, it appears that Poles wants to win immediately with these moves before Chicago has to re-sign Williams to what likely will be an elite-level contract extension. Ryan Poles will likely want to have multiple young linemen in position, who are on rookie deals themselves, to take over when the Bears have to re-sign their quarterback.

Ryan Poles has now given himself three to four years to add to Chicago’s offensive line to make sure they are in a solid place when the team has legitimate salary cap restraints after Williams is extended in 2029.

Facing immense and justified criticism for past roster decisions at the offensive line positions, Ryan Poles has redeemed himself within two months, adding three proven starters with only free agent signing and no draft selections spent.

Chicago has now gone from arguably the worst starting offensive line in 2024 to one of the best lines heading into 2025, which now gives Williams a huge success to develop in his second year at the quarterback position. If the Bears can be a playoff team in 2025 and the offense is significantly productive, it will be because of Poles’ concerted effort to overhaul the offensive line immediately and with the most talent.

The post Ryan Poles has achieved redemption with his offseason offensive line acquisitions appeared first on ChiCitySports.

The Chicago Bears have mainly focused on upgrading their offensive line in the 2025 offseason. They have already traded for Joe Thuney and Jonah Jackson, and it looks like they have added one of the top centers in the NFL to their starting offensive line.

Many sources, including ESPN have confirmed that the Bears are set to sign free agent center Drew Dalman on a 3-year, 42 million dollar contract. This is a major addition and a great upgrade to the offensive line. The 26 year old center was given a Pro Football Focus grade of 78.8, making him the fourth overall center in the NFL. He also had the fifth best run-blocking grade in 2024, with a grade of 79.8.

Chicago Bears fans are ecstatic about Drew Dalman

Bears GM Ryan Poles deserves a ton of credit for completely overhauling the interior offensive line. A massive improvement at both guard and center.

Many Bears fans have posted their excitement on X, over the Dalman news. Many fans and media analysts have also praised the Bears front office for the signing as well.

The Bears might have a good offensive line and I truly don't know how to exist in that reality.

— Brett Kollmann (@BrettKollmann) March 10, 2025

Mega-Upgrades at G-C-G for the Bears. What they've done is not easy, but congratulations to GM Ryan Poles.

— Ben Devine (@Chicago_NFL) March 10, 2025

I CAN TWEET AGAIN

WE GOT DREW DALMAN BANGGGGGGGGGGGpic.twitter.com/CzFlUySbh0

— DaWindyCity Productions (@dwcprodz) March 10, 2025

WE GOT DALMAN LETS GOOOO

— Eric (@Eric_Root54) March 10, 2025

Huge. Way to attack the O-Line, Poles. Went from a disaster position group to what should be a strength. https://t.co/YJL1IJ8SYN

— Big Cat (@BarstoolBigCat) March 10, 2025

Since PFF started grading players in 2006, the #Bears have had one top-five center in the league: Cody Whitehair in 2016.

Drew Dalman has finished top-five in each of the last two seasons. pic.twitter.com/UcXd9IdbSg

— Jacob Infante (@jacobinfante24) March 10, 2025

Bears quarterback Caleb Williams has to be excited about having a long-term center in front of him, Dalman is going to be a massive boost to this team. Dalman excels on the run-block, but he is also still a very solid pass blocker as well.

It’s looking like the new Chicago Bears starting offensive line will consist of: Braxton Jones, Joe Thuney, Drew Dalman, Jonah Jackson, and Darnell Wright. The three new additions to Chicago should help improve this football team and help head coach Ben Johnson create a successful offense.

Bears fans, meet Drew Dalman pic.twitter.com/GVOdsvFF7Q

— Dave (@dave_bfr) March 10, 2025

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Chicago Bears General Manager Ryan Poles deserves praise for not wasting time in overhauling the offensive line even before the new NFL league year begins.

The new NFL league year has not officially started yet but Chicago Bears General Manager Ryan Poles has been busy overhauling the biggest disappointment on the roster in recent memory — the offensive line. With trades and free agency, it looks as though the unit is finally on its way to becoming an asset and not liability.

Last week, Poles traded a sixth-round pick, the one received in the Justin Fields trade last year, for Pro Bowl guard Jonah Jackson. He was not done, however. Later in the week, he brought in another Pro Bowl guard (and All-Pro), Joe Thuney. Nothing is official until Wednesday when the league year begins, but this was great news for Chicago Bears fans.

Now that the legal tampering period has begun, Poles made another big move. He agreed to terms with former Atlanta Falcons center Drew Dalman. Dalman was considered the top free agent center available so signing him was great. In 2024, he was left one-on-one 45.4 percent of the snaps. That was the second-highest in the league. In those situations he gave up pressure on just four percent of the time. That was the fifth-lowest in the league. Being able to have him go one-on-one and succeed is big for the unit.

Now the Chicago Bears interior line could be considered one of the best in the league now. Additionally, Darnell Wright has shown he could be a very good right tackle. Braxton Jones is on the left side, but he could lose his job if the team uses a first round pick on a left tackle.

Jones has not been bad. He is a solid tackle. However, he still has trouble with the bull rush and the Chicago Bears need a lot of confidence in the blindside protector. Additionally, Jones is in the final year of his rookie deal. They could reset with a better player from the draft or add another veteran.

Poles deserves a lot of credit for his moves. He took a lot of criticism for his lack of moves on the offensive line. He overhauled the offense with some top-notch players, but found out quickly that without help in the trenches nothing can get done. They ended up losing ten straight games and the offense could not move the ball.

It appears that Poles learned his lesson well from working with the Kansas City Chiefs front office before coming to the Chicago Bears in 2022. He was there in the 2020 season when the offensive line got embarrassed by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the Super Bowl. The Chiefs needed to overhaul the unit and they did it quickly.

Ironically, Kansas City brought in Thuney in the 2021 offseason. They also brought in Kyle Long, Prince Tega Wanogho, and Austin Blythe. Furthermore, they traded for Pro Bowl tackle Orlando Brown Jr. and drafted Pro Bowl Guard Trey Smith. All that flurry was in a short period of time.

Now Poles is doing the same with the Chicago Bears. The question now is whether he is done with the big game hunting or if he grabs a left tackle. We saw that the Chiefs added an anchor from the draft. Poles could do the same.

One person who is a big winner is quarterback Caleb Williams. He took a beating in his rookie season in 2024. The Chicago Bears offensive line gave up 68 sacks, which was by far the most in the league. It was also the 11th-most given up by a team in NFL history.

The record for most sacks given up was the Philadelphia Eagles in 1986 when they gave up 104 of them. However, Williams was able to escape from another 50 sacks, which also led the league. That was a possible 118 sacks that could have happened. That would have obliterated the Eagles’ record.

Now Williams has a solid, dare I say, very good, offensive line in front of him. He can be confident that there won’t be as many breakdowns on the interior that forced him to try to run for his life too many times. He did show how good he could be when he had a little bit of time.

Despite the poor protection, Williams threw for 20 touchdowns and just six interceptions. He also threw for 3,541 yards. With protection he could become the first Chicago Bears quarterback to eclipse the 4,000-yard mark. He should be very excited to have the 2025 season start.

Yes, Poles deserves some criticism for not making the moves he should have on the offensive line. However, he has shown and is showing again that he is not doubling down with his failure. He is quickly moving to correct his error. That deserves some credit.

The post Chicago Bears 2025: Poles deserves credit for overhauling offensive line quickly appeared first on ChiCitySports.

After trading for Joe Thuney and Jonah Jackson, the Chicago Bears continued their offensive line overhaul by agreeing to terms with center Drew Dalman. His addition gives quarterback Caleb Williams three brand new faces on the interior of his offensive line.

While his deal won’t be official until the start of the new league year, Dalman has reportedly agreed to a three-year, $42 million contract including $28 million guaranteed, via ESPN. The new deal makes Dalman the second highest-paid center in the NFL.

To this point in his NFL career, the center has only known the Atlanta Falcons. He was selected in the fourth-round of the 2021 NFL Draft. But by 2022, Dalman was named the Falcons’ starting center.

He went on to appear in 57 games for the team, starting 40 of them. His 2024 season saw him limited to just nine games as he battled through an ankle injury. However, Dalman still managed to rank fourth/64 centers with a 78.8 grade from Pro Football Focus.

The Chicago Bears were convinced Dalman would be a key piece of their offensive renaissance, immediately pouncing once the legal tampering window opened. Now, Ben Johnson and his staff can figure out their offensive with a stout line in place.

What Drew Dalman offers Chicago Bears

It was no secret that Chicago was in need of a new center. Not only was Coleman Shelton a free agent, but he earned just a 66.4 grade from PFF. While Shelton could return as a backup, the Bears knew they needed a new face in the middle of their line entering 2025.

Adding Dalman gives the team both short and long-term protection. Only 26-years-old, the center is theoretically entering the prime of his career. While the Bears gave him a hefty contract, it was with the idea that Dalman will be the center for the foreseeable future in mind.

His addition is certainly a boost for Caleb Williams. The Bears won’t win many games if the quarterback is brought down a league-high 68 times again. But as much as Dalman helps the passing game, Chicago’s rushing attack should get a massive boost as well.

Dalman’s 79.8 run blocking grade from Pro Football Focus ranked fifth-best out of 64 centers. Furthermore, when the center was on the field, running back Bijan Robinson’s Expected Points Added went from 3.7 to 12.7, via ESPN.

The Bears finished their 2024 campaign ranked 25th in rushing offense, averaging 102 yards per game. Part of the problem was the rushing personnel themselves. However, it’s hard to gain yardage without getting to the hole. Dalman should ensure D’Andre Swift or whoever is running the ball in Chicago has an easier pathway to yardage.

Grading the Drew Dalman contract for the Bears

Bringing in Ben Johnson as head coach was a monumental moment in Chicago Bears history. His addition pointed the team’s arrow back up and proved they were ready to compete. General Manager Ryan Poles doubled down on that narrative when he said he planned to be aggressive in free agency at the combine.

Poles and Johnson have backed up their words.

One player isn’t going to suddenly turn the Bears into world-beaters. Their offensive line was a monumental failure last year, which is why the team brought in three new players immediately. But Drew Dalman’s signing shows Chicago’s complete vision and gives the team a true foundation to stand on.

There are still plenty of question marks on offense, running back, wide receiver and tight end could all be addressed. But the narrative going into the Bears offseason was, what is Chicago going to do with the offensive line?

Adding arguably the best center available in free agency, the Bears left no doubts about their want to improve. They didn’t let Dalman slip away and they offered the contract necessary to get a deal done. As Johnson sets the new culture in Chicago, his signing is one that will surely set the tone.

Ultimately, the Bears must back it up with their play on the gridiron. But landing arguably the top player on their free agency wish list is an automatic W.

Bears Grade: A

The post Grading Drew Dalman’s $42 million contract agreement with Chicago Bears appeared first on ChiCitySports.

General Manager Ryan Poles and the Chicago Bears have aggressively fortified the interior of the offensive line over the past week, including agreeing to terms with the premier free agent center available, Drew Dalman, minutes into the NFL negotiating period.

Dalman, 26, allowed just two sacks last season, and becomes the anchor along an offensive line that offers little resemblance to the unit that allowed 68 sacks during quarterback Caleb Williams’ rookie season, in 2024.

Poles and the Bears have made a clear commitment to keeping Williams upright, by solidifying the interior offensive line by trading for Joe Thuney and Jonah Jackson, adding two new veteran starting offensive guards, and now by making a strong financial commitment to Dalman.

Chicago Bears make Drew Dalman one of the highest-paid centers ever

Dalman is a big-time addition for the Bears, and Chicago rewarded the 6-foot-3 and 300-pound stalwart with a massive financial commitment.

League sources confirm that Dalman’s deal is a three-year pact worth $42 million, which makes him the second-highest-paid center in NFL history.

Dalman’s deal also includes $28 million fully-guaranteed.

By trading for Thuney and Jackson, and now signing Dalman, Chicago ensures not only that there will now be three new veteran offensive linemen along the interior, but the Bears now can potentially turn their attention to adding skill positions and potentially explosive playmakers early in the NFL Draft rather than needing to invest significant resources along the offensive line.

The post What Chicago Bears new contract details for Drew Dalman mean appeared first on ChiCitySports.

The Chicago Bears made sure Caleb Williams had top-notch wide receivers for his rookie season. The Bears traded for Keenan Allen and drafted Rome Odunze with the No. 9 pick to add to a WR room that included D.J. Moore.

The results were mixed, with Williams throwing for 3,541 yards, 20 touchdowns, and six interceptions. He was also sacked a league-high 58 times as the Bears finished with a 5-12 record and went shopping for a new head coach in January.

New head coach Ben Johnson worked with one of the best offensive lines in the league when he was the offensive coordinator of the Detroit Lions. The offensive line has been the focal point of March as they traded for guards Jonah Jackson and Joe Thuney.

The Chicago Bears agree to a deal with an OL

Per multiple reports, the Bears are set to sign Drew Dalman to a three-year deal worth $42 million.

Via ESPN:

“Free agent center Drew Dalman reached agreement Monday on a three-year, $42 million deal that includes $28 million guaranteed with the Chicago Bears, sources told ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

The deal makes Dalman the NFL’s second-highest center.”

Drew Dalman is a big get for the Bears

At 26, Dalman has appeared in 57 games and started 40 in his four-year NFL career. The Falcons selected the six-foot-three, 305-pound center in the fourth round of the 2021 draft.

Dalman made first-team All-Pac 12 in 2020. Pro Football Focus gave Dalman a 78.8 overall grade in 2024, which ranked him 4th out of 64 centers.

The Bears are paying Jackson approximately $17 million and are expected to give Thuney a new contract that will pay nearly $20 million per year.

Dalman is set to make $14 million per year. The Bears will be spending around $51 million per year on the starting interior offensive line.

Williams should have a pocket to step into after the deal with Dalman is finalized. The Bears are set at right tackle after drafting Darnell Wright with the No. 10 pick in 2023. The Bears enter the 2025 draft with one position on the offensive line that could be upgraded: Left tackle.

Chicago has Braxton Jones penciled in as their starting left tackle. The Bears could replace him with the No. 10 pick in April.

For More Chicago Sports:

Follow me on Twitter at @JordanSig, and follow us @ChiCitySports23. You can also reach out to Jordan Sigler via email at jordanmsigler@gmail.com. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in ALL of Chicago sports, click here! Chicago Bears, Chicago Bulls, Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox, Chicago Blackhawks.

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The Chicago Bears made a big splash for the offense last week when they traded for two offensive linemen and added blocking tight Durham Smythe to the roster.

Offensive guard Jonah Jackson is familiar with new head coach Ben Johnson, as Jackson played for the Detroit Lions before joining the Los Angeles Rams in 2024. Joe Thuney, a four-time All-Pro, gives the Bears star power up front.

While one might think general manager Ryan Poles would start looking for a pass rusher in free agency after beefing up the OL last week, the league doesn’t think the Bears plan to stop looking to attack their most glaring weakness in 2024.

The Chicago Bears are a suitor for OL help

Per NFL insider Jordan Schultz of Fox Sports, the Bears are expected to be a “serious suitor” for Atlanta Falcons OG Drew Dalman.

“Falcons FA C Drew Dalman is also expected to have a strong market, with many around the league viewing the Bears as a serious suitor,” Schultz posted on X. “Chicago has already added Joe Thuney and Jonah Jackson and still has a need at center.”

#Falcons FA C Drew Dalman is also expected to have a strong market, with many around the league viewing the #Bears as a serious suitor. Chicago has already added Joe Thuney and Jonah Jackson and still has a need at center. https://t.co/5KUg4VcAZx pic.twitter.com/kOvpXx8gph

— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) March 9, 2025

Drew Dalman would be a huge but pricey get

While the Bears overhauled their guards, the team needs a starter at center in 2025. Dalman would make Chicago’s interior offensive lineman one of the most formidable in the league.

At 26, Dalman has appeared in 57 games and started 40 in his four-year NFL career. The Falcons selected Dalman in the fourth round of the 2021 draft.

The six-foot-three, 305-pound offensive lineman made first-team All-Pac 12 in 2020. Pro Football Focus gave Dalman a 78.8 overall grade in 2024, which ranked him 4th out of 64 centers. Per Sports Illustrated, Dalman is expected to sign a contract in the ballpark of $50 million for four years.

The Bears are paying Jackson approximately $17 million and are expected to give Thuney a new contract that will pay nearly $20 million per year.

For More Chicago Sports:

Follow me on Twitter at @JordanSig, and follow us @ChiCitySports23. You can also reach out to Jordan Sigler via email at jordanmsigler@gmail.com. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in ALL of Chicago sports, click here! Chicago Bears, Chicago Bulls, Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox, Chicago Blackhawks.

The post Chicago Bears a ‘serious suitor’ for elite free agent: Report appeared first on ChiCitySports.

On Wednesday, The Chicago Bears and general manager Ryan Poles significantly upgraded the team’s offensive line with the trade for All-Pro offensive guard Joe Thuney.

The Thuney trade came one day after Poles traded a sixth-round draft selection to the Los Angeles Rams for former Pro Bowl guard, Jonah Jackson.

The multiple acquisitions of veteran and qualified linemen demonstrate how Chicago’s general manager isn’t looking to build the team’s offensive line through the draft, in order to maximize quarterback Caleb Williams’ rookie contract to win immediately.

Ryan Poles is relying on proven veteran linemen

With the hiring of new head coach Ben Johnson, along with the 2024 Bears coming off arguably one of the worst offensive seasons in recent memory, the main offseason focus this year has been on overhauling the offensive line.

Poles oversaw an offensive line that was plagued by consistent injuries and inconsistent quality of play, which led to Williams being the most sacked quarterback in the NFL. Despite having quality starting-level tackles in Darnell Wright and Braxton Jones, Ryan Poles was expected to have multiple interior linemen via free agency and the 2025 NFL Draft.

Despite the 2025 free agency period not starting until next Monday afternoon, Poles has added two high-level linemen in Thuney and Jackson, with Chicago likely to pursue free agent center Drew Dalman intensely.

If the team signs Dalman, it will give the Bears one of the best offensive lines in the league, something that is extremely impressive given that the overhaul transpired in one offseason and before the draft.

The addition of three starting interior linemen via trades and free agency also will reflect Ryan Poles’ reluctance to rely on the draft to build his starting offensive line, despite having three picks in the first 41 selections of the 2025 NFL Draft.

Poles’ desire to rely on proven veteran talent to reconstruct Chicago’s offensive line shows that he may want to avoid risking delayed or hindered offensive production due to rookie offensive linemen struggling with growth and development.

Adding Thuney and Jackson, along with potentially Dalman would likely ensure that no rookie lineman, if drafted, doesn’t start at the beginning of the 2025 season. Added to the new offensive scheme implemented by Johnson, Ryan Poles would further guard against rookie mistakes, as the three veterans likely already have experience with the scheme or are capable of learning the playbook in a fast manner.

Another avenue Poles could be looking to pursue by building up Chicago’s offensive line with veterans instead of rookies, is to line up short-term contracts to match that with the end of Williams’ rookie contract. Both Thuney and Jackson are in their 30s and have one year remaining on their current contracts, with the Bears likely re-signing the two interior guards to short-term contract extensions.

Poles’ goal could be to sign the veterans to contract extensions that likely come off the books when Williams is potentially re-signed to a record-breaking extension, which is the norm for elite-level quarterbacks.

Williams’ rookie contract is key to how Poles builds the offensive line as it appears that he wants the team to win a Super Bowl within the next three seasons before the end of the rookie contract in 2029. Having three solid interior linemen over the next two to three years allows Johnson to get the most out of Williams at the quarterback positions, without having to worry about the offensive line being a recurring issue.

The veteran presence also allows for Poles to identify offensive lineman prospects in the draft over the next few years, and enable them to be gradually worked into Chicago’s offense without risking development due to needing to play immediately.

Poles has now provided the Chicago Bears Bears with flexibility

The trading for multiple veteran offensive linemen has also given Ryan Poles an unexpected level of flexibility before the start of free agency and the 2025 NFL Draft. Although signing Dalman appears to be the top priority during free agency, having only one starting position on the offensive line to address now, enables Chicago to focus more resources on defensive and skill position needs.

Before the trades, Ryan Poles was expected to spend over 100 million dollars to sign free agent All-Pro offensive guard Trey Smith, who was franchise tagged by the Kansas City Chiefs and would have taken up a significant amount of Chicago’s available salary cap space.

Following the trades for Thuney and Jackson, Chicago still has over 51 million in salary cap space, whereas before they had nearly 80 million. With the healthy amount of cap space left, Poles could look to add a starting defensive end to pair with Pro Bowl edge-rusher Montez Sweat or sign a veteran running back who could fit Johnson’s offensive scheme.

Had the team signed Smith to an elite-level contract, addressing multiple positions via free agency would be almost impossible for Ryan Poles.

Depending on what transpires in free agency or if Poles makes any more trades, the Bears could potentially have utmost flexibility for the Draft where they could select the best player available instead of having to focus on a position of need.

Before the trades, it was assumed that Chicago would utilize the tenth overall selection on an offensive guard or tackle, along with using a few of their first four picks on offensive linemen. Now, Ryan Poles can focus on any player available, including Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty or Michigan defensive tackle Mason Graham, instead of having to focus on an offensive lineman.

Ryan Poles has done an impressive job over the past week following the spirit-breaking news that the Chiefs tagged Smith. Since then, Chicago’s general manager has done a terrific job of rebuilding the offensive line as quickly as possible with the recent trades and the potential signing of Dalman.

It is apparent that Poles’ goal is to allow the Bears to win with Williams and Johnson as fast as possible over the short-term future without being put at risk by inexperienced offensive linemen.

The post Ryan Poles seems focused on maximizing Caleb Williams’ rookie contract with offensive linemen trades appeared first on ChiCitySports.

As everyone knows, the biggest positional weakness for the Chicago Bears is the offensive line.

The offensive line has struggled greatly for the past years, especially in 2024. Caleb Williams was sacked 68 times in his rookie year and that needs to not happen again. The offensive line also struggled with injuries, run-blocking, and pre-snap penalties. The Bears must upgrade their offensive line during free agency and in the 2025 draft.

Chicago now has over 79 million in cap space after releasing DeMarcus Walker and Gerald Everett. Ryan Poles and Ben Johnson have plenty of resources and a great opportunity to fix this very weak offensive line.

The Chicago Bears must upgrade the interior offensive line

Currently, the Bears are likely to move on from guard Teven Jenkins and have no stability at right guard. They also desperately need a center due to Coleman Shelton being a free agent after a struggling 2024 season.

Braxton Jones and Darnell Wright will be returning for the 2025 season at left and right tackle. However, the Bears must look into upgrading at both guard and center.

According to a new report from ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, the Chicago Bears are eyeing three free agent offensive linemen and are expected to sign at least one of them during the start of free agency.

ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler revealed that three top free agents are on Chicago’s radar

Fowler has revealed that two top guards and one of the top centers in free agency are being eyed by the Chicago Bears.

“The sense is Chicago will sign at least one interior offensive linemen. Drew Dalman, 49ers guard Aaron Banks and Colts guard Will Fries are among players on the radar. Like Dalman, Banks and Fries are in line for sizable contracts. Guards dominated free agency last year and will do well once again. The Giants, Cardinals and Seahawks are lurking in this market, too.”

Aaron Banks and Will Fries would be massive upgrades at guard for Chicago. Poles and Johnson need to get one of them to sign with Chicago, especially after losing out on Trey Smith. Many reporters and analysts have linked both Banks and Fries to the Bears and it now looks like at least one of them will be signed.

Drew Dalman is arguably the best center available in free agency and is considered a top five center in the NFL. The Bears should make signing Dalman a priority. Chicago has struggled at the center position for a long time, going all the way back to the Nagy head coaching years. The Atlanta Falcons center has been very impressive on the run block as well and has not allowed many penalties.

The Bears need to act fast this free agency. With multiple teams lurking in for upgrading their offensive line, Chicago needs to at least sign a couple of key free agents.

Having a much improved offensive line will lead to bigger growth from Caleb Williams and will also help Ben Johnson’s offense succeed greatly.

The post Chicago Bears eyeing top free agent offensive linemen: Report appeared first on ChiCitySports.

With the Chicago Bears needing a massive overhaul on their offensive line this offseason, any positive news they receive on pending free agents is a huge victory. The team only has Braxton Jones and Darnell Wright as guarantees to return to the offensive line from a season ago. Wright will be penciled in at right tackle, whereas Jones’ spot at left tackle is not a given.

Jones will start on the Bears line in 2025 no matter what, but the idea of the front office drafting a tackle to compete with the 25-year-old to determine who will start at left tackle versus left guard. There are a few options that the Bears could look at in the draft to address their needs up front, but it is safe to say that they will swing as big as possible in free agency next month.

Based on comments from another NFC general manager at the combine on Wednesday, the Bears have some hope for being involved in the free agency sweepstakes for one of the top offensive linemen on the open market.

Chicago Bears get important news on Drew Dalman

When Atlanta Falcons general manager Terry Fontenot was asked about bringing back Drew Dalman this offseason, he gave a response that made other GMs in the league happy.

“Drew is a UFA,” Fontenot said. “We know he’s a really good player. He’s been a big part of our offensive line for a long time. But Drew, or any other unrestricted free agent, we have to have those conversations internally.”

While this quote from Fontenot isn’t saying that they won’t look to bring Dalman back to Atlanta, it certainly isn’t a sign of confidence that they will have him with the team this upcoming season. Chicago has around $80 million in cap space to work with as of right now entering free agency next month.

Dalman is projected to receive a three-year deal worth around $6.8 million per season. Other outlets have predicted Dalman to receive much more per season, but either way his salary will be more than enough for Chicago to take care of.

Drew Dalman would be the Chicago Bears best center in years

The Bears have struggled up front well before the 2024 season at the center and guard spots. Based on his PFF grades from last year, Dalman ranked very high amongst his peers. He had a 78.8 overall grade, which was fourth among all qualified centers in the league. Dalman was strong against the run, ranking fifth in the NFL with a 79.8 grade.

His ability to anchor the interior of the line against the run is something the Bears need now more than ever. Ben Johnson will want to have a balanced approach on offense despite having Caleb Williams under center for his second season in the league.

D’Andre Swift struggled to get going behind the brutal line last year and his overall season numbers were hurt big time by that. Swift should get a new partner to share carries with in the backfield this year, but that won’t mean much if the protection unit in front of them take care of business. Dalman being fair game in the open market is an opportunity that Chicago absolutely needs to jump on when they get the chance.

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Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Poles and new head coach Ben Johnson were in Indianapolis on Tuesday ahead of the 2025 NFL Scouting Combined.

Both Poles and Johnson met the media and emphasized the team’s desire to be aggressive during free agency to allow the team to swing aggressively in the 2025 NFL Draft. For Poles’ draft desire to become a reality, he must have a flawless free agency period, something that the embattled general manager has struggled with during his first three seasons in the role.

Ryan Poles can overcome years of offseason mistakes

Through Ryan Poles’ first three seasons as general manager for the Bears, he has been tasked with dismantling and rebuilding Chicago’s roster.

During the last three free agency periods, Poles has had more misses than hits, as he has missed signing elite-level talent that is available or has targeted the wrong talent. Additionally, he has had several embarrassing mishaps that have resulted in targeted players signing elsewhere.

During Poles’ first offseason as Chicago’s general manager, the team had wanted to sign defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi and offensive guard Ryan Bates to help stabilize the trenches. Ogunjobi had initially signed with the Bears but had his contract voided due to a failed physical.

The Bears wanted to sign Ogunjobi due to his proven productivity in the Cover-2 defensive scheme. The free agency mishaps were a noticeable concern for Poles, especially when Chicago’s offensive and defensive line struggled significantly in 2022 during a three-win season.

The following offseason featured a noted improvement from Poles during free agency as the team signed linebackers T.J. Edwards and Tremaine Edmunds but also signed offensive guard Nate Davis.

Edwards and Edmunds were consistent contributors for Chicago’s defense the last two seasons. However, Davis being cut only after a season and a half while dealing with significant dedication issues proved to be a massive talent evaluation error by Ryan Poles.

The Chicago Bears had glaring issues in 2024

The continued issues with the Bears’ offensive line paired with the team cutting their most significant offensive lineman signing was one of the more glaring issues during the 2024 season.

Last offseason, Poles’ inaction was the most concerning indictment during free agency, as despite having an immense amount of available cap space to work with, Chicago failed to sign any elite-level talent.

There was outrage when the Bears couldn’t land a premiere defensive end pass-rusher, whether be Danielle Hunter or Jonathan Greenard, despite needing a second starter to pair with Pro Bowl edge rusher Montez Sweat. Fans and the local media debated heavily whether Ryan Poles was qualified to be trusted with another offseason to fix the roster.

Following the hiring of Johnson as Chicago’s new head coach, Poles already knows what positional needs the team has heading into free agency, including the offensive and defensive line.

With the Bears having the fourth most cap space in the league, they are expected to go after several of the premium interior offensive linemen, including Pro Bowl guard Trey Smith and center Drew Dalman.

Ryan Poles and the front office are also expected to heavily pursue an impactful edge rusher, whether Khalil Mack or Chase Young, to help assist in Dennis Allen’s new defensive scheme.

On Tuesday, it was announced that the Bears requested an interview with Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty, who is expected to be the first halfback taken in this year’s draft. Although selecting a running back is seen as a luxury selection, Ryan Poles can position Chicago to select the Boise State prospect if he achieves all of his free agency goals, to free up the team’s draft selections.

With three picks in the top forty-one spots of the 2025 NFL Draft, Poles can create immense draft flexibility if he aces free agency in two weeks.

Ryan Poles’ needs to have a strong free agency

Poles can’t afford to miss on any of the positions of need for Chicago during free agency due to how the Draft could unfold for the team. Imagine a scenario where the team signs Smith, Dalman, Mack, another offensive lineman, and other depth pieces which allows for the team to be riskier during the draft.

Ryan Poles could not only look to take Jeanty tenth overall with the positions of need already being met but potentially select other prospects at the skill positions in rounds two and three.

If Poles faulters at all during free agency by potentially missing out on Smith or a premiere pass rusher, it makes the idea of drafting a running back tenth overall extremely questionable.

The 2025 NFL Draft is considered to have significant depth at the offensive line, defensive line, and running back positions, which would make drafting a lineman more prominent than taking a ball carrier, especially when quality talent will be available on Day two.

Ryan Poles would almost be forced to utilize two of Chicago’s top three selections on trench prospects if there are any missed signings during the free agency period.

Poles has faced some scrutiny for offseason mishaps potentially having affected the team’s original draft plans. Many fans believe that the team’s failure in trading a second-round selection for wide receiver Chase Claypool led to the team potentially missing out on selecting either cornerback Joey Porter Jr or All-Pro tight end Sam LaPorta.

Given the plethora of resources the Bears have to utilize in free agency, Ryan Poles can’t afford to make any mistake and potentially lose targeted free agents to other teams.

The need to execute an almost perfect offseason is something that Ryan Poles has almost cornered himself into with prior mistakes.

However, Chicago’s embattled general manager could turn in a memorable offseason why signing all the premiere free agents that the Bears have their sights on, resulting in an even more exciting 2025 NFL Draft for the team. Ryan Poles has been given a second chance and could set Chicago up for a memorable offseason by first hitting on all his free agency goals, starting in less than two weeks.

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The Chicago Bears need to think about solidifying one area of the offensive line that has plagued the team for the last few years, the center spot, in free agency.

The Bears have drafted and added numerous tackles and interior offensive linemen in the previous few years, but none have made the successful jump to center, and issues have shown up in the running and passing game.

Caleb Williams needs help up front

Caleb Williams was blamed for holding the ball too long and trying to escape the pocket too early in his rookie season. However, poor play at center was part of the reason Williams had no faith in the pocket.

While the tackle positions (especially on the QB’s blindside) had previously been thought to be the most important part of the offensive line because of how talented edge rushers have become, the new wisdom in NFL circles among scouts and GMs is that having a great center is arguably just as important because they allow for a quarterback to step up into the pocket instead of scrambling away.

The Chicago Bears linked to the No. 26 free agent in 2025

Matt Bowen of ESPN named the Bears as a “top fit” for a free agent that could secure the center spot in 2025, Drew Dalman. Bowen linked the Bears to offensive guard Trey Smith and thinks Dalman, the No. 26 free agent in 2025, would dominate next Smith.

“I matched Trey Smith to the Bears, but this team can’t stop there this spring. Let’s also put Dalman — the top center in free agency — next to Smith,” Bowen wrote. “Dalman wins his assignments with movement and leverage to offset a smaller frame (6-3, 300 pounds). He’s a technician on the tape, best suited for the zone run game, and his pass block win rate of 95.1% ranked ninth among centers with at least 500 snaps (he missed time due to an ankle injury, though).”

Drew Dalman would be a big help

At 26, Dalman has appeared in 57 games and started 40 in his four-year NFL career. The Atlanta Falcons selected Dalman in the fourth round of the 2021 draft.

The six-foot-three, 305-pound offensive lineman made first-team All-Pac 12 in 2020. Pro Football Focus gave Dalman a 78.8 overall grade in 2024, which ranked him 4th out of 64 centers. Per Sports Illustrated, Dalman is expected to sign a contract in the ballpark of $50 million for four years.

If Dalman and Smith signed with Chicago, Poles would be spending close to $33-34 million per year on two interior offensive linemen.

It would be time for Williams to step up and deliver in 2025.

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Protecting Caleb Williams, and running the football with more efficiency.

Those are just two of the main concerns heading into free agency and draft season for the Chicago Bears.

GM Ryan Poles and the rest of the front office will need to address this dismal offensive line if they have any chance of competing in the now brutal NFC North. Williams took far too many hits in his rookie season, and the run game just never seemed to get going.

Now the question remains: who will the Bears target in free agency to fill this void? There are plenty of big names and young talent out there.

Atlanta Falcons center Drew Dalman has become a hot name for the Chicago Bears as of late, as he plans to enter free agency

A name to watch out for is Drew Dalman, a 26-year-old center who has played for the Atlanta Falcons since he came into the league when he was drafted in the 4th round of the 2021 NFL Draft. Dalman is widely regarded as one of the better centers in the league, and will certainly gain plenty of interest this spring.

Dalman ranked fourth amongst all centers in the NFL when it came to his Pro Football Focus grade and fifth in his run-blocking grade, despite his availability issues. Durability may be the only thing preventing him from a big-time contract in free agency, as he missed eight games last season and three in the season prior.

Matt Lombardo of Between the Hashmarks and ChiCitySports recently spoke to offensive line guru Duke Manyweather from OL Masterminds about Dalman. He asked specifically about the Bears’ fit, and Manyweather seems to think it would be a good risk for them to potentially take.

“I think he’s solid and can really be a key addition,” Manyweather told me, of Dalman as a potential Bears as a fit. “He’s kind of lost in the discussion because he was hurt. But, I think his best football is ahead of him.”

Manyweather is well renowned in the football world when it comes to o-linemen, as he trains over 40 NFL players in the off-season. He has had 70 of his trainees drafted, including 12-first round picks and another 30 top-100 picks. If there’s a guy to listen to when it comes to this stuff, it’s Duke Manyweather.

Lombardo also references the underratedness of having a solid or even elite center when it comes to moving the ball on offense. Centers like Tyler Linderbaum, Creed Humphrey, and Frank Ragnow are extremely vital parts of the success of their respective offenses, and it shows on tape and the stat sheet as well.

The Chicago Bears will need to address the offensive line problem not only in free agency but also in the 2025 NFL Draft

The Bears don’t have the luxury of taking the ‘best available’ talent that some other teams will have, so targeting offensive linemen will be crucial in the pre-draft process. Guys like Will Campbell and Josh Simmons will be just a few names to watch in this solid class of pass-and-run blockers.

With Ben Johnson taking over as the new Chicago head coach, we could see a massive change in philosophy when it comes to the draft. Former coach Matt Eberflus liked his twitchy athletes with potential, rather than proven talent at the collegiate level.

In my most recent mock draft, I have the Bears going all-in on the offensive line front, as they will need stability at that level to succeed next season. It’s a tiresome saying, but strength in the trenches truly leads to success. Just look at this weekend’s upcoming Super Bowl, it’s hard to find any holes on either of those lines, defensive or offensive.

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The annual Reese’s Senior Bowl began in Mobile, AL on Tuesday, and the Chicago Bears were notably around plenty in the second day of practices. The game itself will be played on Saturday, but these drill days gives teams the chance to see prospects up close to key in on their fundamentals.

With Chicago entering the draft holding three picks in the first two rounds, events like the Senior Bowl are crucial toward the teams’ future. The primary needs for the Bears this offseason lie in the trenches. With Darnell Wright and Braxton Jones expected to be the only starters to return from 2024, a combination of the draft and free agency will have to fix the unit before this upcoming season.

Ryan Poles and Ian Cunningham appear to be keeping a tight eye on the trenches in the early going down in Mobile. With some notable day two guys making appearances at the Senior Bowl this year, it gives the Bears brass a fantastic opportunity to get an honest look at them for their big board.

The Chicago Bears are dialed in at offensive line at the Senior Bowl

Despite not being around much on day one of the Senior Bowl, Chicago Bears beat writer Nicholas Moreano reported that Poles and Cunningham showed up big time on Wednesday. Cunningham spent a lot of time by the linemen while they were stretching, and Poles was locked in during the one-on-one drills.

A name to help out the Chicago Bears on the inside of their line to keep an eye on is Jonah Savaiinaea from the University of Arizona. The big man projects well as a guard in the NFL and is expected to be drafted at some point during the second day of the draft. He measures in with a solid frame at 6’5, 336 pounds and can toss defenders around with ease.

Savaiinaea finished his final season at Arizona with a 75.9 PFF grade while allowing just four sacks. If Chicago can snag him in the second round, he would be a perfect addition to their interior. The organization has been frequently linked to highly coveted free agent Trey Smith from Kansas City, but even if they sign him they will need another guy on the inside moving forward.

Edge should not be a position the Chicago Bears overlook in Mobile

Even though Chicago has a massive need for offensive linemen, their pass rushing unit needs some work as well. Montez Sweat hasn’t had a proper running mate since joining the franchise last season, and that simply has to change ahead of the 2025 campaign.

An early prospect that has made noise at the Senior Bowl as an edge rusher is Mike Green from Marshall. Green has dominated the one-on-one drills against some high quality offensive linemen, asserting himself into the conversation of being a fringe first-round draft choice.

These one-on-one drills are the same ones that Poles spent a fair amount of time watching on Wednesday, so it would have been hard for him to not notice Green. In 2024, Williamsburg, VA native finished with 17 sacks, 13.5 more than he had in his first year at Marshall after transferring from Virginia. The numbers and tape speak for themselves on Green, and the Chicago Bears might have to jump on the opportunity to draft him if he is there for them in the second round.

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New head coach Ben Johnson has been making changes to the Chicago Bears coaching staff since he was officially hired by the team last Tuesday. The former Lions offensive guru has brought on his two coordinators as both were announced by the franchise on Monday.

Declan Doyle will serve as the Bears offensive coordinator and former Saints head coach Dennis Allen will be the defensive mastermind in Chicago. One coordinator that Johnson retained on the Bears staff is Richard Hightower. The 44-year-old has served as Chicago’s special teams coordinator since 2022 and will be around for his fourth season with the organization.

One big decision for Johnson’s first staff that hasn’t been made yet is who will oversee the offensive line. This unit for the Bears’ was arguably the worst in football last season, as rookie quarterback Caleb Williams was sacked 68 times. This was by far the most sacks taken by a quarterback in the league last season, and that needs to change entering 2025.

With Chris Morgan being let go from his duties as the offensive line coach, it opens the door for someone else to take over this struggling unit. One direction that the Bears front office could look to fill this vacancy is at the collegiate level, where one coach has already gained their interest in Joe Rudolph, the current offensive line coach at Notre Dame.

Joe Rudolph would bring quite the background to the Chicago Bears

Ruldolph has spent his entire coaching career at the college level. He began as a GA at Ohio State from 2004-2006 before heading to Nebraska for the 2007 season to be their tight ends coach. Rudolph remained in the Big 10 from 2008-2011 as the tight ends coach for his alma mater, Wisconsin before leaving the conference in 2012.

Rudolph spent the 2012-2014 years at Pittsburgh as the assistant head coach and offensive coordinator. The Charleroi, PA native got the chance to act as Pitt’s interim head coach during the 2014 season after Paul Chryst resigned from the role.

After his tenure at Pitt came to a close, Rudolph returned to Wisconsin from 2015-2021. In his second stint with the Badgers, he worked in various roles such as the offensive coordinator, offensive line coach and assistant head coach.

Rudolph was with Virginia Tech in 2022 working with their offensive line before joining Notre Dame where he has been the last two seasons. There is no doubt that Rudolph has positioned himself for an NFL job based on his 20 year track record at the college level. He has coached numerous draft picks and an offensive line that made the National Championship game this past year.

Joe Rudolph would be a big part in rebuilding the Chicago Bears line

The Bears will be completely retooling their offensive line this offseason. With the exception of Darnell Wright and Braxton Jones, the rest of the line will look brand new come training camp. The front office will look to the draft and free agency when bringing in new faces to protect Williams ahead of his second NFL season.

In free agency, names like Trey Smith and Drew Dalman should be at the top of the Bears list. They have the cap space to bring in both individuals if they are so lucky to meet with both of them when free agency opens up. In the draft, tackles like Will Campbell of LSU and Kelvin Banks Jr. of Texas could be near the top of Ryan Poles’ draft board.

No matter which direction Chicago goes in fixing up their offensive line, it’s nothing that Rudolph can’t handle. His coaching experience should carry nicely in the NFL if given a chance by the Bears and he would certainly be a nice change of pace compared to what’s been on staff with the organization over the past few seasons.

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