Chicago Bears fans thought they would only have a left tackle issue going into the offseason. There is now a much bigger problem at hand.
Sources tell ESPN NFL reporter Adam Schefter that starting center Drew Dalman has informed the Bears he is retiring from the NFL at 27. Dalman just completed his first season with the Bears, during which he posted a PFF grade of 77.5, the sixth-highest among 40 centers in the NFL. He was selected for his first Pro Bowl of his career.
Before Chicago, Dalman was a fourth round pick of the Atlanta Falcons in 2021. He started 57 career games between the Bears and Falcons.
Drew Dalman stuns Bears fans with retirement report
This leaves the Bears in a very interesting situation where they now have to address two positions on the offensive line. Dalman was part of the group that came in last offseason, along with Joe Thuney and Jonah Jackson, to rebuild the interior of the offensive line. The Bears allowed 68 sacks in 2024, but with Dalman and company, they changed that to just 24 in 2025.
Chicago must now go out scrambling to find a replacement at center, either in free agency or the NFL Draft. The first name that will pop up is Baltimore Ravens free agent center Tyler Linderbaum, but he will command at least $20 million per year.
That means the Bears will have to work quickly of moving guys like Tremaine Edmunds and DJ Moore to create the cap space needed to once again retool the offensive line. It could also mean that they might look at other linemen on the Bears to step up and move over to center.
Read more: Ben Johnson has a chance to get back at Lions after their stunning roster move
This is now a scary position for the Bears to be in, but with general manager Ryan Poles, he will have something up his sleeve to help the team.