The Chicago Bears found themselves in a position where they needed a veteran center to come in and help the offensive line next season. First-season Bears center Drew Dalman retired earlier this week, pushing Bears head coach Ben Johnson and the franchise to make a move. They did so on Friday.
Chicago Bears Fill Need at Center With the New England Patriots Trade
Dianna Russini, Senior NFL Insider for The Athletic, posted on X on Friday afternoon that the Bears had pulled off a trade for New England Patriots center Garrett Bradbury.
Russini wrote in her post on X, “Trade! The Chicago Bears are trading for Patriots center Garrett Bradbury, per sources. New England receives a fifth-round pick in return. Chicago, who lost Drew Dalman to retirement earlier this week, picks up a veteran with NFC North experience.”
Bradbury played only one season for the Patriots, but was part of New England’s team that faced the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl 60 at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif.
Before going to New England, Bradbury played six seasons for the Minnesota Vikings. So, it’s safe to say that he’s seen action against the Bears in some tough NFC North division clashes. Bradbury played in 17 games for the Patriots last season, starting all 17.
While with the Vikings, Bradbury played in 88 games, all starts, for Minnesota.
Trade! The Chicago Bears are trading for Patriots center Garrett Bradbury, per sources. New England receives a fifth-round pick in return.
Chicago, who lost Drew Dalman to retirement earlier this week, picks up a veteran with NFC North experience. pic.twitter.com/9Xbl2cEZJF
— Dianna Russini (@DMRussini) March 6, 2026
With his NFL experience, Bradbury will be able to step right into Dalman’s role and be a steadying influence along the offensive line. That’s going to mean a lot for Bears starting quarterback Caleb Williams, who looks to get even better in the 2026 NFL season.
Dalman played in four seasons for the Atlanta Falcons before joining the Bears in what was just his one season in Chicago. Dalman played in 74 NFL games, starting 57 of them.
He earned a Pro Bowl selection last season, too. Chicago reached the NFL postseason in 2025 after winning the NFC North.
The Bears beat the Green Bay Packers 31-27 in an NFC Wild Card Game before losing in the NFC Divisional Round to the Los Angeles Rams, 20-17. Now, Johnson and Williams will have a veteran’s presence on the offensive front in Bradbury.
