After a successful 2025 season, the Chicago Bears once again had to tinker with their offensive line. The Bears were informed by center Drew Dalman that he would retire, one year after the Bears signed him from the Atlanta Falcons. So, the team needed to find a new starting center. They found just that in the form of Garrett Bradbury, after finalizing a trade with the New England Patriots.
Bradbury was formally introduced to the Bears after passing his physical. While speaking with reporters, Bradbury revealed that he hung out with quarterback Caleb Williams over the weekend. Based on Bradbury's comments, Williams won him over.
"I’ve heard great things about him, and that reaffirmed everything that I’ve heard. He’s an awesome guy, he’s obviously an awesome player, so I’m looking forward to getting to work with him and helping him any way I can and learning from him as well," said Bradbury, h/t Chris Emma of 670 The Score.
Garrett Bradbury praises Caleb Williams after visit in Chicago
Hearing this from a new player acquired by the Bears has to make the fanbase feel good about their future. Especially over the fact that Bradbury was won over by Williams, both as a player and, this past weekend, as a person.
Bradbury began his career with the Minnesota Vikings as their first-round pick in 2019. That stint would last until 2025, when he was released by the team. This past season, he signed on with the Patriots to be the starting center for the team and quarterback Drake Maye.
In the regular season for New England, Bradbury allowed 20 pressures on 1,070 snaps, where he also didn't commit a single penalty, according to Pro Football Focus (subscription required). In the Patriots' playoff run, from the Wild Card Round to Super Bowl 60, Bradbury allowed nine pressures and two sacks on 264 snaps.
The Bears were thrown for a loop with Dalman's retirement, but they acted relatively quickly by sending over a 2027 fifth-round pick to the Patriots for Bradbury. The hope is that he can help provide stability on the interior of the offensive line.
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In just a short amount of time in Chicago, Bradbury was already won over by Williams. Maybe, just maybe, he can help lead Williams to similar success to Maye's last year.