In 2025, the Chicago Bears shocked the NFL world and went 11-6 in the regular season, winning the NFC North in Ben Johnson's first year at the helm. A huge reason for that success was due to the overhauled offensive line that Johnson and General Manager Ryan Poles enacted that previous offseason.
Joe Thuney, Drew Dalman, and Jonah Jackson were brought in to fortify the offensive line, and frankly, it worked big-time. Chicago's unit became one of the best in the NFL, and not only did Dalman make the Pro Bowl, but Thuney won the Protector of the Year award.
Well, on Tuesday, some downright shocking news broke that Dalman would be retiring from the NFL after just five years in the NFL and one with the Bears. This shocking move makes the Bears next obvious choice at center quite obvious.
Tyler Linderbaum is the next obvious choice for the Chicago Bears after shocking retirement
I'm not sure this even needed to be said, but free agent center Tyler Linderbaum now becomes a very obvious choice to replace Dalman in the Bears lineup, as Chicago didn't just lose an average center - they lost a Pro Bowl one who was right in the middle of his prime.
However, this team is moving quickly, as free agent center Tyler Biadasz is visiting with the Bears, so they could find a quick replacement. Biadasz had a fine season with the Washington Commanders in 2025 but was shockingly cut by the team.
As competent as Biadasz is, he's no Linderbaum, and that's the point here. Not yet 26 years old, Linderbaum has played the first four years of his career with the Baltimore Ravens, making the Pro Bowl in the last three seasons and missing just two games.
Yes, the cap situation would make this tough, but the Bears clearly invested big-time along the offensive line last offseason, so there is no reason to believe they wouldn't at least try to make this move.
The center is arguably the most important position along the offensive line, as he touches the ball every single play, and that isn't always true with the quarterback. The center is also the 'coach' of the unit, as they typically call out various defensive tendencies on a given play.
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Having a below-average center can simply turn an offensive line into mush, so Chicago should spare no expense and do what it takes to land Linderbaum, who you could argue is the best in the NFL. The Bears have to act quickly after Dalman's shocking retirement.