Ben Johnson and the Chicago Bears know they have more work to do to address their offensive line, with questions at center following Drew Dalman’s retirement and left tackle amid an injury to Ozzy Trapilo, which has Brian Parker II on their radar.
Parker is an interior offensive lineman, so he would be more of a solution for the Bears’ long-term needs with Dalman gone.
However, he could help elsewhere amid the current plan.
Bears Get Closer Look at Duke’s Brian Parker II
Brian Parker II Could Be Long-Term Solution for Bears
“The #Bears hosted Duke C Brian Parker II for a Top 30 Visit,” Packer Report’s Easton Butler reported in a post on X on March 24. “The #Bengals will host Cincinnati native for their Local Pro Day.”
NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein cited Parker’s “well-composed frame, good body control and sound technique.”
Parker has “average” measurables, but “plays like a future” starter at center.
“Parker consistently centers his blocks and operates with inside hands/good grip strength. He gets to his landmarks under control as a move blocker, has average drive strength on gap-scheme blocks and constantly covers his target,” Zierlein wrote.
“Underhook punch has some pepper to it, but below-average length makes timing and anchor essential. He plays with a quality mirror and clearly sees rush games.
Bleacher Report’s Brandon Thorn believes Parker has a capped ceiling, though.
“Brian Parker II is a hard-nosed, athletic blocker with strong hands and excellent competitive toughness,” Thorn wrote in November 2025. “His sawed-off frame and below average play strength will cap his ceiling as a pro, projecting him as high-quality swing interior backup with starter upside at center.”
Bears Pivot Plan Critical
The difference in Thorn and Zierlein’s projections is which outcome is more likely for Parker as a pro, but that is critical in assessing whether or not he can take over the pivot someday.
The Bears acquired Garrett Bradbury in a trade with the New England Patriots.
He is viewed as a step down from Dalman, who was a Pro Bowler last season, and is on an expiring contract. The Bears need a long-term plan, and Parker could step in as a backup in Year 1, perhaps filling in at guard as needed, before taking over the center job in 2027.
That is essentially what the Patriots did with Bradbury, except they are moving 2025 third-round pick back to his natural pivot role after using him at guard as a rookie.
The Bears have 2025 fifth-rounder Luke Newman, to whom they gave practice reps at center.
However, they will eventually need to replace All-Everything guard Joe Thuney. He and Pro Bowl right guard Jonah Jackson, the younger of the two, have two more seasons left on their respective contracts before they are slated for free agency.