CHICAGO — Ryan Poles did not hesitate. Just three days after Pro Bowl center Drew Dalman shocked the league by announcing his retirement at age 27, the Chicago Bears secured his replacement. Chicago traded a 2027 fifth-round draft pick to the New England Patriots for veteran center Garrett Bradbury. The deal officially hits the wire Wednesday when the 2026 NFL league year opens.
Plugging the Hole in the Middle
You could almost feel the collective sigh of relief radiating from Halas Hall. Dalman’s sudden exit left a massive crater in the middle of a unit that protected Caleb Williams and anchored Chicago’s offense last season. The front office moved fast, grabbing a 30-year-old road grader who brings immediate stability.
Bradbury arrives in Chicago after a grueling campaign in New England. He started all 17 regular-season games and took every snap during the Patriots’ four-game playoff stretch, which ended in a crushing 29-13 Super Bowl LX loss to the Seattle Seahawks. Now entering the final year of his current contract, Bradbury carries a highly manageable $3.7 million base salary with a $5.7 million cap hit for the 2026 season.
Durability defines Bradbury’s career. Since the Minnesota Vikings drafted him 18th overall in 2019, he has logged 105 career starts, participating in no fewer than 12 games in any single season. He knows the trenches, and he knows how to keep his quarterback clean.
New England, meanwhile, immediately pivots to youth. The Patriots plan to shift left guard Jared Wilson into the center spot. Wilson, a 2025 third-round pick out of Georgia, impressed coaches by starting 13 games as a rookie and playing heavily throughout the postseason.
“Losing Drew felt like a punch to the gut. He earned that Pro Bowl spot. But this league doesn’t wait for you to catch your breath. Garrett knows the grind, he just played in the Super Bowl, and he’s ready to fight for us.”— Anonymous Bears Front Office Source
Playoff Implications / What’s Next
The Bears refuse to let a surprise retirement derail their Super Bowl aspirations. Ben Johnson’s offense relies heavily on a stout interior line to execute his complex run schemes. By acquiring Bradbury, Chicago avoids entering next week’s free agency period desperate and vulnerable. They keep their salary cap flexible while adding a battle-tested anchor who fills an immediate, critical need.
For the Patriots, trading Bradbury clears nearly $6 million in cap space. This gives head coach Mike Vrabel and general manager Eliot Wolf more ammunition to build around quarterback Drake Maye. Wilson moving to center opens a vacancy at left guard, signaling New England will likely attack the interior offensive line market when the negotiating window opens.
