Chicago Bears center Drew Dalman has informed the team that he is retiring from the NFL at age 27, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
It’s a stunning move from the Pro Bowl center, who played a key role along one of the NFL’s best offensive lines last season. The Bears allowed a league-low 25 sacks on quarterback Caleb Williams and had the NFL’s third-best rushing attack.
Dalman spent four seasons with the Atlanta Falcons before signing a three-year, $42 million contract, with $28 million guaranteed, with the Bears last offseason. He was certainly worth the investment allowing just one sack and finishing with a top-10 pass-block win rate (96%) in 1,154 snaps.
Now, the Bears have a big hole to fill at center. According to Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer, the Bears have shown an interest in free-agent center Tyler Linderbaum.
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported that Chicago is hosting free agent center Tyler Biadasz on a visit. Biadasz was recently released by the Washington Commanders and is available to sign before free agency begins.
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This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Bears center Drew Dalman announces shocking retirement from NFL
Reporting by Alyssa Barbieri, Bears Wire / Bears Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
