Andrew Buller-Russ
All teams have strengths and weaknesses. Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Poles has done a good job trying to establish the strongest roster possible, without having many weak spots. Unfortunately, the Bears’ roster has suddenly developed an unexpected hole.
According to ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter, Bears starting center Drew Dalman is retiring at the age of 27. The move was completely unexpected.
Dalman is coming off his first Pro Bowl season after starting all 17 games in his first year with the Bears. The team signed him to a three-year, $42 million contract as one of their prized free agency additions. Dalman was a key figure in helping Chicago’s offensive line go from being one of the worst to one of the best.
Dalman arrived as the 114th overall pick in the fourth round of the 2021 NFL Draft and spent the first four seasons of his career with the Atlanta Falcons. If this is it, Dalman ends his career starting 57 of 74 appearances in his career, which is a heck of an accomplishment for a former fourth-round pick.
Now the Bears enter the offseason with a major question mark at center. However, they’re already hosting former Pro Bowl center Tyler Biadasz, who was recently released by the Washington Commanders.
Biadasz is one possibility. If they’re willing to be patient and throw some money around, Pro Bowl center Tyler Linderbaum could also be available in free agency, unless the Baltimore Ravens can get him re-signed first.
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