The Chicago Bears have made quite the move at the start of the NFL free agency, signing center Drew Dalman to bolster their offensive line. The agreement, confirmed on March 10, 2025, is for three years and worth $42 million, with $28 million guaranteed, making Dalman the second-highest paid center in the league.
Dalman, who is 26, was the top center available during free agency and was highly regarded, coming off the back of a solid season with the Atlanta Falcons. He received the fourth-highest grade at the center position, scoring 78.8 on Pro Football Focus, after allowing only two sacks and ten quarterback pressures over nine games, even as he dealt with ankle injury issues.
This move is part of the Bears' strategic overhaul of their offensive line under new head coach Ben Johnson. His priority has been to provide adequate protection for 2024 first overall pick Caleb Williams, who suffered from significant pressure as his rookie season saw him sacked 68 times, tying for the third-most sacks taken by any quarterback in NFL history.
The Bears’ general manager, Ryan Poles, is reshaping the team’s offensive line after realizing the necessity for upgrades. Recently, he made headlines by trading for two-time All-Pro left guard Joe Thuney from the Kansas City Chiefs, and also acquiring Jonah Jackson from the Rams. The addition of Dalman rounds out this renewed offensive line and aims to significantly improve the protection for Williams.
During his time with the Falcons, Dalman started 40 games over three seasons after being drafted by Atlanta as the 114th pick out of Stanford. He went through ups and downs, missing eight games last season due to injury, but upon his return, he made substantial contributions. For example, when he was back on the field, Falcons running back Bijan Robinson's metrics dramatically improved, boasting the best rushing EPA (expected points added) during the final six weeks of the season.
Despite still needing to prove himself as the starter, Dalman is expected to step up and contribute immediately. The Bears have shown confidence by investing heavily and are betting on Dalman to stabilize the center position after cycling through several players over the years. This will be the Bears’ fourth different Week 1 center within the last four seasons, showcasing the franchise's struggles to find the right fit for the position.
Dalman’s new deal ranks him second among centers league-wide based on yearly average at $14 million. This transaction also leaves Chicago with ample cap space, approximately $45 million before this signing, meaning they can comfortably manage Dalman’s salary and potentially pursue more talent as the offseason progresses.
The Bears have expressed their excitement over adding Dalman. With previous attempts at strengthening the center position having failed, this deal signifies their commitment to ensuring Williams has the resources he needs to succeed and thrive. Without question, the expectation from this revamped offensive line is high, and both Poles and Johnson are aligning their efforts to build confidence around Williams, allowing him to flourish without excessive pressure.
It’s clear how influential Dalman’s presence could be, acting as the anchor of the line and being the key communicator for the team. His first task will be to forge strong chemistry with Thuney and Jackson, leading to improved performance not just from himself, but ensuring the entire offensive front works cohesively.
Per reports, Dalman chose to join the Bears partly due to clear synergies and the opportunity to play under Johnson, who had resounding success with his offensive lines during his tenure as offensive coordinator with the Detroit Lions. Johnson’s drive for developing talent up front signifies his focus on establishing one of the finest offensive lines again for Chicago.
Now, fans eagerly await to see how this acquisition plays out as free agency continues and team dynamics evolve. The Bears certainly appear to have laid down an important foundation, earmarking 2025 as potentially their most transformative season yet under Johnson's direction, built firmly on solidifying the offensive line.