Bears Acquire Veteran Center Garrett Bradbury from Patriots Following Dalman Retirement

Just three days after Pro Bowl center Drew Dalman announced his early retirement, the Chicago Bears acted swiftly to fill the gap by acquiring veteran center Garrett Bradbury from the New England Patriots in exchange for a 2027 fifth-round pick, according to CBS Sports insider Jonathan Jones. Bradbury, 30, brings experience and stability to a position critical to the Bears’ offensive system.

He spent six seasons with the Minnesota Vikings after being a 2019 first-round draft pick before joining the Patriots last offseason as part of New England’s aggressive roster overhaul. Bradbury started all 17 games for the Patriots in 2025, helping them reach Super Bowl 60, where they ultimately fell to the Seattle Seahawks.

Bears Act Quickly to Replace Dalman with Bradbury Amid Offensive Line Concerns

For Chicago, the timing could not have been more urgent. Under first-year head coach Ben Johnson, the Bears saw a significant offensive line improvement that contributed to a breakout season. The team previously acquired guards Joe Thuney and Jonah Jackson and positioned Dalman as the anchor in the middle with a three-year, $42 million deal. Dalman, however, played only one season before stepping away, leaving a critical void at center.

With left tackle Braxton Jones entering free agency and Ozzy Trapilo expected to miss much of the 2026 season due to a torn patellar tendon, the offensive line’s depth and cohesion became a top priority. The team also addressed salary-cap concerns earlier in the offseason by trading wide receiver DJ Moore to the Buffalo Bills and releasing linebacker Tremaine Edmunds.

Bradbury is viewed as a solid, if unspectacular, replacement for Dalman. While Dalman ranked seventh among NFL centers according to Pro Football Focus in 2025, Bradbury ranked 29th. He allowed no sacks but gave up 29 pressures, compared to Dalman’s 31, with the main difference appearing in run blocking.

Despite this, the Bears’ system under Johnson is well-suited to maximize Bradbury’s strengths. Johnson’s track record of developing linemen, combined with surrounding talent like Thuney and Jackson, gives the Bears confidence that Bradbury can adapt effectively and stabilize the interior line.

Patriots Gain Flexibility While Bears Secure Veteran Center for Rebuilding Phase

For the Patriots, the trade makes practical sense. Rookie Jared Wilson is expected to move from left guard back to his natural center position, and New England will need to fill the left guard role to protect struggling left tackle Will Campbell. The Patriots have significant cap space and free-agent options, giving them flexibility to find a suitable replacement. Bradbury, entering the final year of his contract, was a manageable asset for New England, and the fifth-round pick they acquired provides additional draft capital for future roster building.

The trade addresses urgent positional needs for both franchises. Chicago gains a veteran center to anchor its line during a critical rebuilding and contending phase, while New England gains flexibility to optimize its offensive line and adds draft capital for continued roster development. While Bradbury may not replicate Dalman’s elite performance, the combination of coaching, system support, and surrounding talent makes this a prudent and timely acquisition for the Bears.