One of the NFL’s most stunning retirement announcements in years landed on Tuesday, March 3, when Chicago Bears Pro Bowl center Drew Dalman, 27, informed the team he was stepping away from the game entirely. The decision came less than three months after Dalman helped the Bears win the NFC North title and their first playoff game in 15 seasons. He had played every single offensive snap of the 2025 season and had just earned his first Pro Bowl selection.
A $42 Million Contract Left on the Table
Oct 19, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears center Drew Dalman (52) practices against the New Orleans Saints before the game at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike Dinovo-Imagn Images
Dalman had signed a three-year, $42 million contract with the Bears during the 2025 offseason, with $28 million guaranteed. By retiring after just one year of the deal, he walked away from significant remaining salary. His 2026 cap hit stood at $14 million. With his retirement, the Bears can void his $9.5 million base salary guarantee, leaving the team responsible for only approximately $4 million in prorated signing bonuses across 2026 and 2027, potentially freeing over $10 million in cap space.
The Anchor of Chicago’s Elite Offensive Line
Dec 22, 2024; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson (7) celebrates after a touchdown with center Drew Dalman (67) against the New York Giants in the third quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images
Dalman was the cornerstone of an offensive line that ranked No. 1 in the NFL in pass block win rate at 74% in 2025. He started all 17 regular-season games and both playoff contests without missing a single offensive snap, establishing himself as one of Chicago’s most dependable players.
The Shield That Protected Caleb Williams
Jan 18, 2026; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) looks on during warmups before an NFC Divisional Round game against the Los Angeles Rams at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images
Quarterback Caleb Williams directly benefited from Dalman’s presence at center. As a 2024 rookie, Williams was sacked a league-high 68 times. In 2025, that number fell to just 24. Williams had made his admiration for Dalman clear during the season. “He’s the brains behind all of it,” Williams said of his center. That praise now reads as a bittersweet tribute. PFF ranked Chicago’s offensive line as the third-best unit in the NFL in 2025, a standing that will be difficult to sustain in Dalman’s absence.
Stanford Engineer to NFL Pro Bowler
Dec 14, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears guard Joe Thuney (62) celebrates after defeating the Cleveland Browns at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images
A mechanical engineering graduate of Stanford University, Dalman was selected in the fourth round of the 2021 NFL Draft by the Atlanta Falcons, where he spent four seasons and started 40 games. After his contract with Atlanta ended, the Bears signed him as their marquee free-agent addition of the 2025 offseason, pairing him with newly acquired guards Joe Thuney and Jonah Jackson to complete an interior offensive line overhaul. All three newcomers earned Pro Bowl recognition, validating Chicago’s aggressive investment in protecting Williams.
A Retirement That Mirrors His Father’s
DATE UNKNOWN; Stockton, CA, USA, USA; FILE PHOTO; San Francisco 49ers guard Chris Dalman talk with his 9-month-old son Drew as his 3-year-old daughter Kate looks on. The players children showed up to visit their dad between practice sessions at the teams summer training camp at the University of Pacific in Stockton. Mandatory Credit: Clifford Oto-USA TODAY NETWORK
Dalman’s decision carries a striking generational parallel. His father, Chris Dalman, was an offensive lineman for the San Francisco 49ers and also retired young after a neck injury during the 2000 training camp temporarily left him unable to move. “When I first got hurt and I couldn’t move, laying on the field for about 30 seconds, I knew it was probably over,” Chris Dalman said at the time. “Still, it’s strange to think that this part of your life is over.” Drew has not publicly cited any specific reason for his retirement.
The Growing Shadow of CTE in the NFL
Nov 24, 2024; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Former Carolina Panthers linebacker Luke Kuechly on the sidelines before the game at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
Though Dalman has not publicly explained his decision, long-term brain health concerns linked to the center position are widely considered a factor. A 2023 Boston University study found that 345 of 376 post-mortem brains of former NFL players, 91.7%, tested positive for chronic traumatic encephalopathy, a degenerative brain disease caused by repeated head trauma. Dalman joins a growing list of players who retired at the peak of their careers, including linebacker Luke Kuechly at age 28 and quarterback Andrew Luck at age 29.
Unexpected Cap Relief for Chicago
Jan 2, 2022; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Atlanta Falcons center Drew Dalman (67) following the game against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-Imagn Images
The Bears entered free agency already managing tight salary cap constraints, with the new league year set to begin March 11. Dalman’s retirement offers the team unexpected financial flexibility. Chicago could save $10 million or more against the 2026 salary cap as a result. The team had already granted linebacker Tremaine Edmunds permission to seek a trade, a move that could save an additional $15 million if Edmunds is released, collectively creating meaningful room for the Bears to address multiple roster needs.
Bears Move Fast to Replace Dalman
Sep 29, 2024; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Washington Commanders center Tyler Biadasz (63) against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Chicago acted quickly in exploring replacements at center. Shortly after Dalman’s retirement was reported, the Bears hosted Tyler Biadasz, recently released by the Washington Commanders, for a free-agent visit, per NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport. Biadasz represents one credible short-term option at the position. The Bears simultaneously face a compounding offensive line problem, with tackle Ozzy Trapilo expected to miss the majority of the 2026 season while recovering from a knee injury sustained during the first round of the playoffs.
Draft Options Already Emerging
Dec 24, 2022; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Atlanta Falcons center Drew Dalman (67) stands on the field before the game against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images
With the 2026 NFL Draft approaching, Chicago is also examining center prospects as a potential long-term solution at the position. Multiple interior linemen have already been linked to the Bears in draft scenarios following Dalman’s announcement. The team’s first-round pick and additional capital give them legitimate options to address the void both in free agency and through the draft. Bears decision-makers will need to move on both fronts simultaneously to avoid exposing Williams to a step backward in protection.
A Franchise at a Pivotal Offseason Crossroads
Jun 9, 2021; Flowery Branch, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Falcons center Drew Dalman (67) shown during mandatory minicamp at the Atlanta Falcons Training Complex. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images
The Bears enter 2026 with genuine Super Bowl aspirations built around Caleb Williams, but Dalman’s retirement complicates a carefully constructed roster. His durability, leadership at the line of scrimmage, and Pro Bowl production will not be easy to replace within a single offseason cycle. Chicago must now rebuild the center position while also addressing left tackle, linebacker depth, and overall cap compliance, all before the March 11 league year deadline. How quickly and effectively the Bears respond will define their competitive standing heading into Williams’ third NFL season.
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“Sources:
Bears Center Drew Dalman Retiring from NFL at Age 27.” ESPN, March 2026.
“Drew Dalman’s Retirement Allows Bears to Recover $4 Million in Bonus Money.” NBC Sports Pro Football Talk, March 2026.
“How Drew Dalman’s Retirement Impacts Bears’ 2026 Salary Cap.” Bears Wire, USA Today, March 2026.
“Bears Pro Bowl Center Drew Dalman Is Retiring After 5 Seasons.” Washington Post, March 2026.
“Former NFL Players’ Brains Show CTE in 91.7% of Cases.” Boston University CTE Center, 2023.
