The Chicago Bears’ situation just got even more complicated heading into a pivotal 2026 offseason, with plenty of roster questions to address as it was.
Now, they have been forced into a critical change that will impact Caleb Williams.
The Bears already needed to shore up their defense, with all three levels deserving attention from general manager Ryan Poles. But the offensive line was a need as well, with left tackle Ozzy Trapilo set to miss most, if not all, of the upcoming campaign rehabbing from an injury.
Caleb Williams, Bears Dealt Significant Blow
Bears Lose Starting O-Lineman
“ESPN sources: Bears Pro Bowl center Drew Dalman has informed the team that he is retiring from the NFL at age 27,” ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported on X on March 3. “Dalman left Stanford in 2021, and after four seasons in Atlanta and one in Chicago, he has made the sudden and surprising decision to retire.”
Williams reacted fittingly, posting “Hulk” with a smiling but teary-eyed emoji on X.
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported on X that Dalman had been “contemplating retirement for some time.”
He signed a three-year, $42 million contract with the Bears in free agency during the 2025 offseason and has earned $25.2 million in his career. He was a fourth-round pick by the Falcons, taken 114th overall in the 2021 NFL Draft.
Dalman, part of an overhaul of the interior offensive line last offseason, was one of nine players to start all 17 regular-season games for the Bears in 2025.
Fellow additions Joe Thuney–a Pro Bowler and First Team All-Pro–and Jonah Jackson did too.
The Bears boasted the NFL’s third-best rushing attack, while Williams often praised his linemen–nicknamed “The Avengers”–particularly as he cut his sack numbers down. Williams took a league-leading 68 sacks as a rookie, but absorbed 24 sacks in 2025.
The argument about sacks being a QB stat will rage on. Dalman and Co.’s impact was evident, though. His exit looms large for a team that was already trying to thread the needle.
They must remain competitive amid financial constraints.
Dalman earned the ninth-best offensive grade from Pro Football Focus, tying for ninth in run blocking and finishing 25th in pass protection. He was one of three centers with at least 1,300 snaps during the campaign.
He was better than both of the others in all three categories, save for ex-Bears pivot Coleman Shelton besting him as a run blocker.
The Bears will surely miss Dalman, even with some of the hiccups that arose this past season.
Bears safety Kevin Byard, a pending free agent and another Pro Bowler, simply posted “Wow” in reaction to the news. Now, the focus turns to what comes next in Chicago at a critical position on the field.
Bears Have Options
The Bears can go and most likely will go outside to replace Dalman. Names like Lloyd Cushenberry, Tyler Biadasz, and Tyler Linderbaum loom in free agency. They have already brought Biadasz in for a visit on Tuesday, since he was cut and not an expiring deal.
Bears 2024 trade pickup Ryan Bates is a free agent, but could now be a return candidate.
Moreover, Bears 2025 fifth-round draft pick Luke Newman received reps at center during the offseason program. He figures to at least garner a look there during the spring.
The hope is, of course, that Dalman is walking away before something forces him to, and not because. It is also that the Bears can find a suitable replacement quickly. Williams must get a feel for his new battery-mate, who could very well be learning the Bears’ offense.
All the while, the Bears must flesh out the rest of their roster in hopes of an even better finish.