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An unexpected piece of news coming out of the NFC North: Per ESPN's Adam Schefter, veteran Chicago Bears center Drew Dalman is retiring from football, leaving a gaping hole in the middle of a rebuilt offensive line in Chicago and throwing the Bears into a group of teams -- which includes the Green Bay Packers -- needing a center this offseason.
On one hand, the Packers should be relieved -- Dalman was a key part of a massive rebuild for the Bears offensive line, which emerged as a true strength of Green Bay's rival in 2025. But on the other, the Packers now have a serious competitor in the center market, and the ripple effects of Dalman's retirement are already showing.
Per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, the Bears are already hosting former Washington Commanders center Tyler Biadasz on a free-agent visit.
Biadasz, a Wisconsin native, could have been a veteran option for the Packers. Now, it's possible the former Badger will be headed to Chicago to replace Dalman.
The Bears have a first-round pick (No. 25 overall) but pick after the Packers in every other round. Entering free agency, Chicago has a tight salary cap situation but several levers to pull to create space, and Dalman's retirement -- once official -- will clear money from the books.
Per Albert Breer of MMQB.com, the Bears have "sniffed around" the market of Tyler Linderbaum, the top center available in free agency.
The Bears signed Dalman as a free agent from the Atlanta Falcons last March. He emerged as one of the NFL's best centers, making the Pro Bowl after allowing just one sack and helping power a dominant run game over 1,300 total snaps including the regular season and playoffs. Dalman started all 19 games for the Bears.
Dalman is the second center from the NFC North to unexpectedly retire in the last two seasons, joining former Detroit Lions center Frank Ragnow, who retired from football last offseason.
This article originally appeared on Packers Wire: Packers face unexpected competition in center market after Dalman retirement
Continue reading...
On one hand, the Packers should be relieved -- Dalman was a key part of a massive rebuild for the Bears offensive line, which emerged as a true strength of Green Bay's rival in 2025. But on the other, the Packers now have a serious competitor in the center market, and the ripple effects of Dalman's retirement are already showing.
Per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, the Bears are already hosting former Washington Commanders center Tyler Biadasz on a free-agent visit.
Biadasz, a Wisconsin native, could have been a veteran option for the Packers. Now, it's possible the former Badger will be headed to Chicago to replace Dalman.
The Bears have a first-round pick (No. 25 overall) but pick after the Packers in every other round. Entering free agency, Chicago has a tight salary cap situation but several levers to pull to create space, and Dalman's retirement -- once official -- will clear money from the books.
Per Albert Breer of MMQB.com, the Bears have "sniffed around" the market of Tyler Linderbaum, the top center available in free agency.
The Bears signed Dalman as a free agent from the Atlanta Falcons last March. He emerged as one of the NFL's best centers, making the Pro Bowl after allowing just one sack and helping power a dominant run game over 1,300 total snaps including the regular season and playoffs. Dalman started all 19 games for the Bears.
Dalman is the second center from the NFC North to unexpectedly retire in the last two seasons, joining former Detroit Lions center Frank Ragnow, who retired from football last offseason.
This article originally appeared on Packers Wire: Packers face unexpected competition in center market after Dalman retirement
Continue reading...
