NFL news: Bears center Drew Dalman reportedly retires at just 27
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The Chicago Bears reportedly lost the bulk of their offensive line on Tuesday.
Pro Bowl center Drew Dalman has informed the team that he will retire after five seasons at just 27 years old. to ESPN.
The Bears signed Dalman to a three-year, $42 million contract last summer as they overhauled the interior of the offensive line in head coach Ben Johnson’s first season. They signed Dalman and traded for guards Joe Thuney and Jonah Jackson and saw great results.
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Drew Dalman (52) of the Chicago Bears walks off the field after warming up before an NFL game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on November 28, 2025 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Cooper Neill/Getty Images)
Dalman played in all 17 games and did not miss any of the team’s 1,154 snaps and made the first Pro Bowl of his career. The Bears went 11-6 and won the NFC North, thanks in large part to the team’s revamped offensive line.
The running back duo of D’Andre Swift and Kyle Monangai was very effective last season. Swift rushed for 1,087 yards and nine touchdowns, while Monangai rushed for 783 yards and five touchdowns.
Chicago Bears center Drew Dalman (52) walks onto the field before the game against the Green Bay Packers at Soldier Field on December 20, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois. (Mike Dinovo/Imagn Images)
Before Dalman, Jackson and Thuney were brought in in 2024, quarterback Caleb Williams was sacked 68 times. He was sacked just 24 times in 2025.
Dalman was selected by the Atlanta Falcons in the fourth round of the 2021 NFL Draft out of Stanford. He played four seasons with the Falcons before leaving free agency to join the Bears.
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Chicago Bears center Drew Dalman (52) practices before the game against the New Orleans Saints at Soldier Field on October 19, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois. (Mike Dinovo/Imagn Images)
Free agency will officially begin at 4pm ET on March 11, and the Bears will look to land a free-agent center or NFL draft pick in his place.
Bears left tackle Ozzy Trapilo tore his patellar tendon in the playoffs last season, so they will need to address that position this offseason as well.
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