Unlike one of their division rivals just about exactly a year ago now, the Chicago Bears had options when their Pro Bowl center retired this offseason suddenly. While Garrett Bradbury isn't seen as the long-term successor to Drew Dalman after being acquired from the New England Patriots in March, he is a solid option, and the draft brought that likely successor in Logan Jones.
The battle between Bradbury and Jones for the starting job at center is set to be one of the biggest and most-watched position battles at the Bears' training camp. Head coach Ben Johnson has, as expected, left the door open for Jones to win the job. If he does, Bradbury would become a prime trade candidate when the season gets closer.
The 27-year-old Dalman was easy to envision as the Bears' long-term starting center. Fortunately, a deep draft class at the position allowed for viable pivot options on that front, and Jones clearly made an impression on everyone compared to other center prospects during the pre-draft process.
"Logan was one that stood out,” Johnson said at rookie minicamp. “My visit with him, when he was here, [I] was extremely impressed by the football knowledge, makeup, very mature. To me, it’s not we’re getting a rookie, we’re getting a guy that’s a little bit more of a seasoned player, which really is not uncommon for those Iowa linemen.”
Whenever he becomes the Bears' starting center, Jones hopefully won't be going anywhere for awhile.
Logan Jones gets noticed as rookie who could make a big impact
As part of ESPN.com's 100 things to mark 100 days until the 2026 season opener, draft analyst Jordan Reid included Jones among his five rookies who could have a big impact despite not being a first-round pick.
"The sudden retirement of Drew Dalman left a huge hole at center for the Bears in the long term. Chicago traded for Garrett Bradbury to be its presumptive starter in 2026, but he'll be a free agent after the 2026 season. Jones could be the centerpiece of Chicago's O-line in 2027 and beyond."
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Reid sort of projected next year as the starting point for Jones to become the literal centerpiece of the Bears' offensive line, at least until further notice. But there's a solid chance it happens right away, which Reid also hinted at by calling Bradbury the "presumptive starter" ahead of the aforementioned camp competition.
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