Bears Secure Center Garrett Bradbury from Patriots Following Dalman's Retirement
In a swift move just days after the unexpected retirement of Pro Bowl center Drew Dalman, the Chicago Bears have traded for Garrett Bradbury from the New England Patriots. The deal, reported by CBS Sports' Jonathan Jones, sees the Bears sending a 2027 fifth-round pick to New England. Garrett Bradbury, 30, previously spent six seasons with the Minnesota Vikings before signing with the Patriots last offseason. He started all 17 games in 2025, contributing to the Patriots' rise to AFC champions, although they ultimately lost to the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl 60. With Dalman's sudden departure, the Bears faced challenges in their offensive line, an area crucial to their success under new head coach Ben Johnson. This offseason, Chicago has been active, trading DJ Moore to the Buffalo Bills and releasing linebacker Tremaine Edmunds to become salary-cap compliant. The acquisition of Bradbury aims to stabilize the center position after Dalman’s retirement. Evaluation of the Trade: Chicago Bears: B- - The Bears needed a center following Dalman’s retirement, which left a significant gap. - While Bradbury will fill the role, he is unlikely to match Dalman's performance; last year, Dalman ranked 7th among centers, while Bradbury was 29th. - Despite this, Bradbury’s lack of sacks allowed and the presence of strong teammates may support his performance. New England Patriots: B - With Bradbury's departure, the Patriots will likely shift Jared Wilson to center and seek a new left guard. - They have over $35 million available in cap space to explore free agency, with potential targets including David Edwards from the Bills. Overall, both teams look to navigate their respective challenges as they prepare for the upcoming season.
Source: CBS Sports - 2026-03-07