Chicago Bears Pro Bowl center Drew Dalman is retiring after 5 seasons,
AP source says
[March 04, 2026]
By ANDREW SELIGMAN and ROB MAADDI
CHICAGO (AP) — Chicago Bears Pro Bowl center Drew
Dalman is retiring after five seasons, a person with knowledge of the
decision said Tuesday.
The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity
because he hasn’t publicly announced his plans. ESPN first reported the
decision. |
Chicago Bears center Drew Dalman (52) prepares to snap the ball during
the second half of an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys,
Sunday, Sept. 21, 2025, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Kamil Krzaczynski, File) |
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The 27-year-old Dalman played a big role in solidifying the
interior of the offensive line after signing a $42 million,
three-year contract last March. He made his first Pro Bowl after
spending his first four seasons in Atlanta and helped Chicago
win the NFC North at 11-6.
The only Bears player to participate in every offensive snap,
Dalman was a key figure in the transformation of the line. The
Bears also traded for All-Pro left guard Joe Thuney, signed
guard Jonah Jackson and drafted Ozzy Trapilo, who emerged as the
starting left tackle during the season.
Improved protection helped quarterback Caleb Williams go from
being sacked a franchise-record and league-leading 68 times as a
rookie to setting a Bears mark by throwing for 3,942 yards in
his second year. With Dalman retiring and Trapilo expected to
miss most of next season after tearing the patellar tendon in
his left knee in the wild-card win against Green Bay, Chicago
has two big holes on the offensive line. The NFL's free agent
negotiating period begins Monday and players can begin signing
on March 11.
The Bears are looking to build on a breakthrough season in their
first year under coach Ben Johnson. They won the NFC North for
the first time since 2018 and advanced in the playoffs for the
first time in 15 years by beating the Packers, before losing to
the Los Angeles Rams in overtime.
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Maaddi contributed from Tampa, Florida.
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