Bears Pro Bowl Center Drew Dalman Retires from NFL at 27

Dalman's sudden decision leaves Bears with hole at key offensive line position.

Mar. 3, 2026 at 8:55pm

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Center Drew Dalman, who made the Pro Bowl last season with the Chicago Bears, has informed the team that he is retiring from the NFL at the age of 27. Dalman's decision comes as a surprise after he signed a three-year, $42 million contract with the Bears just last year and played at an extremely high level in 2025.

Why it matters

Dalman's retirement leaves a significant hole in the middle of an otherwise stellar Bears offensive line, which was crucial to the team's success in elevating their running game and protecting quarterback Justin Williams. Finding a replacement at the center position will be a top priority for the Bears' front office this offseason.

The details

Dalman played every offensive snap as the Bears' starting center in 2025, allowing only one sack, one QB hit, and 24 pressures in 17 games, with just three penalties in 1,154 snaps. He was the 6th-best center in the NFL according to Pro Football Focus. Before joining the Bears, Dalman spent his first four seasons in the league with the Atlanta Falcons.

  • Dalman signed a three-year, $42 million contract with the Bears in March 2025.
  • Dalman made the Pro Bowl for the first time in his career in the 2025 season.
  • Dalman has informed the Bears of his retirement decision in March 2026.

The players

Drew Dalman

A 27-year-old center who was one of the best offensive linemen in the NFL, making the Pro Bowl in his first season with the Chicago Bears in 2025 before suddenly deciding to retire.

Justin Williams

The Bears' starting quarterback whose protection was bolstered by Dalman's presence on the offensive line.

Ryan Poles

The Bears' general manager who will need to find a replacement for Dalman at the center position, either in free agency or the NFL Draft.

Ben Johnson

The Bears' head coach whose offensive scheme relied heavily on Dalman's performance at the center position.

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What’s next

The Bears will need to quickly identify and sign a free agent center or draft a replacement for Dalman in order to maintain the offensive line's performance and protect their quarterback in the upcoming season.

The takeaway

Dalman's sudden retirement at the age of 27 is a significant blow to the Bears' offensive line and their overall team success. The team will need to act quickly to find a capable replacement at the crucial center position in order to continue their offensive momentum from the 2025 season.