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 are making moves to strengthen a key part of their roster. Head coach Ben Johnson recently revealed his stance on the team’s latest move involving veteran center Garrett Bradbury.

In March, the Bears finalized a deal with the New England Patriots to acquire the experienced offensive lineman. The team traded a 2027 fifth-round draft pick to the Patriots for Bradbury. 

The move came after veteran center Drew Dalman unexpectedly retired at age 27. The Pro Bowl center walked away from a three-year contract after just one season with the Bears. His departure left the team without a proven leader on the offensive line for the upcoming season.

Chicago Bears’ Ben Johnson excited about new center Garrett Bradbury

Johnson recently shared his thoughts on Bradbury’s trade. The second-year coach seems very excited and confident about the Bears’ new center. Although Johnson has not had the chance to get to know the 30-year-old extensively, the Chicago shot-caller believes Bradbury’s intelligence will benefit the team.

“I only got to talk to him briefly when he came in after the trade, and yet I could tell how bright he is,” Johnson said, via Mark Carman of the CHGO Bears podcast. “I don’t think the chemistry in the room will miss a beat now.”

Bradbury arrived in Chicago following a standout 2025 season with New England. He started all 17 games, not allowing a sack or committing a penalty over 642 pass-blocking snaps. He helped the team reach the Super Bowl by protecting the quarterback and opening running lanes.

Over seven NFL seasons, six with the Minnesota Vikings and one with New England, Bradbury has started 105 games in total. 

Losing Dalman is a tough blow for the Bears. However, Johnson believes Bradbury can step in and keep the offense running smoothly.

“We came to a consensus that Garrett was going to fit us like a glove,” he said. “Obviously, he had a lot of success last year, made it to the Super Bowl. Very cerebral player.”

Bradbury is in the final year of the two-year deal he signed with the Patriots last offseason. He is set to earn $4.7 million for the 2026 season. The trade was an affordable move that let the Bears fill a key position without sacrificing multiple top draft picks. 

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The Chicago Bears brought in veteran center Garrett Bradbury to replace center Drew Dalman after he retired. The former Minnesota Vikings and New England Patriots center is “not coming in to try and re-establish anything,” but to “help” the Bears.

“I’m not coming in to try and re-establish anything,” Bradbury told reporters virtually Thursday. “I’m just trying to learn from these guys, how do you guys work? They won the division last year. They had success, won a playoff game. I’m not coming in to try and change anything. I’m coming in to help. That starts with building these relationships and figuring out how I can help. And then it goes from there.”

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Bradbury played in all 17 games with the Patriots last season and committed no holding or false start penalties.

Garrett Bradbury is “fired up” to join the Chicago Bears and Ben Johnson’s offense

“I’m fired up,” Bradbury said. “I’m not just saying that. Playing against Ben when I was in Minnesota and he was in Detroit for all those years – you watch certain offenses as an offensive line, and there’s just offenses that excite you. His is certainly one of them. You know what you’re going to get. You want to run the football, and you want play-action.

“It’s a physical brand of football, which I think every lineman wants to sign up for. Just the brief time I got to talk with him, he relayed that message. It’s going to be exciting; it’s going to be a lot of hard work and that’s what I’m ready to sign up for.”

Johnson was the Detroit Lions’ offense coordinator (2022-24) while Bradbury was with the Vikings (2019-24).

The Bears have done well to add and keep the offensive line intact

Even though Dalman retired at 27 years old, adding Bradbury wasn’t the only thing the Bears did to strengthen their offensive line. The Bears brought back left tackle Braxton Jones to help protect quarterback Caleb Williams blind side and re-signed offensive lineman Jordan McFadden. Offensive tackle Jedrick Wills also re-signed to add more depth to the line.

Williams showed his potential last season, falling just shy (3,942 yards) of becoming the first Bears quarterback in history to throw for 4,000 yards. With that likely being a possibility in 2026, strengthening the offensive line should help Williams accomplish that feat.

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Chicago Bears left guard Joe Thuney could barely contain his excitement over an upcoming reunion next season. 

Before winning the inaugural NFL Protector of the Year Award at NFL Honors in February, Thuney built his foundation at NC State. He played in 41 games with the Wolfpack and earned First-Team All-America honors in 2015. 

The 33-year-old arrived in Chicago last season as a four-time Super Bowl champion and quickly proved his worth. He allowed zero sacks, posted an 87.7 PFF pass-blocking grade and helped the Bears slash their sack total from 68 to just 24. 

Thuney was beyond thrilled when the Bears made the move to bring his former NC State teammate to the Windy City.

Chicago Bears: Joe Thuney welcomes former NC State teammate Garrett Bradbury

The Chicago Bears addressed their center vacancy in a hurry. Days after Pro Bowl center Drew Dalman’s stunning retirement, general manager Ryan Poles wasted no time. 

Chicago sent a 2027 fifth-round pick to the New England Patriots in exchange for veteran center Garrett Bradbury. 

The move gives the Bears an experienced starter at one of the most critical positions on the offensive line.

The trade also sparked a very personal reaction from Thuney. The three-time First-Team All-Pro shared a Pack Football Instagram graphic celebrating the reunion. 

The post read: “Teammates reunited. The Garrett Bradbury trade to Chicago reunites him with his college teammate at NC State in 2015, Joe Thuney.” 

A hyped Thuney reacted with a strong two-word message via Instagram Stories.

“Let’s go!” wrote the Bears star.

 

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A post shared by NC State Wolfpack Football (@packfootball)

Thuney and Bradbury were road-trip roommates during their time with the Wolfpack. Their shared roots on the same offensive line give this pairing an instant chemistry edge.

That familiarity should translate well in Ben Johnson’s offense. Bradbury started all 17 regular-season games and all four playoff contests for New England last season. He did not allow a single sack or commit a single penalty across 1,070 snaps. 

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