Drew Dalman is the first Chicago Bears center to be named a Pro Bowler since franchise legend Olin Kreutz in 2006. A first-timer, Dalman is also in his first season with the Bears. He has had to learn not only a new system and city, but also a slew of new teammates.
Dalman credits those teammates before himself in discussing his honor.
However, he also made it clear that he does not view that as a goal. The Bears look to continue an impressive turnaround season.
Drew Dalman Puts Bears Goals Ahead of Pro Bowl Honors
Bears’ Drew Dalman Gets Candid About Pro Bowl
Dalman, 27, signed with the Bears in free agency from the Atlanta Falcons as part of an overhaul of the interior offensive line in Chicago.
It has certainly paid off, with the Bears ranking 10th in scoring and fifth overall offensively.
He joined fellow Pro Bowler Joe Thuney, who earned his fourth straight appearance, and 2021 Pro Bowler Jonah Jackson in the makeover. Dalman says they, along with quarterback Caleb Williams and running backs D’Andre Swift and Kyle Monangai, also deserve the recognition.
“I’m very appreciative, very grateful. But the notion of an individual O-line award doesn’t make a ton of sense to me. Because every play, I’m relying on the guys to the left and right of me, to the quarterback, to the running back. It feels like such a collective effort,” Dalman told Clocker Sports on Wednesday.
“My inclination is I feel like the group really deserves any recognition if there is recognition to get, but it is nice.”
The Bears, who rank second in the league in rushing, have come a long way up front.
Team Success Remains Drew Dalman’s ‘Main Focus’
They began the season prone to penalties and getting little movement on the ground while struggling to protect Williams. Dalman himself has even had some snaps go awry. It is an issue that showed against the Green Bay Packers in Week 16, despite the win.
Dalman and Thuney’s honors reflect that improvement, but it is also shows the Bears still have room to grow.
“Certainly, good performances as an offensive unit or hitting goals that we set for ourselves in April, I feel like all these kind of things start to give you evidence that the process that we have is working and trending in the right direction, which is really encouraging,” Dalman told Clocker Sports. “And then also, it makes you really want to know, ‘Okay. If we do even more, where else can this go?’ That kind of thing. So, it’s really–it’s encouraging and motivating for a while.”
Dalman said he did not even celebrate the award, staying focused on the “main” goal.
“I think we’re really focused on this [season],” Dalman told Clocker Sports. “And I feel like all our goals–and honestly, all my goals–are our team and winning-related success, related to my main focus.”
Dalman and the Bears face a resurgent San Francisco 49ers on the road on “Sunday Night Football” in Week 17.