The Chicago Bears made another big move in the trade market acquiring center Garrett Bradbury from the New England Patriots in exchange for a 2027 fifth-round pick.
The move doesn’t come as a surprise after Pro Bowl center Drew Dalman surprisingly retired last week, leaving a gaping hole at an important position along an offensive line already looking for a starting left tackle. Bradbury started 17 games for the Patriots last season, where he allowed zero sacks in 642 pass blocking-snaps and zero penalties, per Pro Football Focus. Bradbury also is an affordable option at center, where he’s set to carry a $4.7 million cap hit in 2026.
Here’s a collection of all of the grades for the Bradbury trade from various media outlets, where experts agree that it’s not a great nor bad move by Chicago, who fill an important hole along the offensive line while also leaving it open to add competition.
ESPN: B-
Seth Walder: “Bradbury is an experienced center, albeit one with a middling track record. Over the past two seasons combined between the Vikings and Patriots, Bradbury ranked in the 41st percentile in pass block win rate at center and 52nd percentile in run block win rate. That’s fine, but a step down from Dalman.
“Bradbury is cheap — he’ll cost $4.7 million this year but is a free agent after 2026. But for the Bears to give up a fifth-round pick for a single season of him is not trivial and seems like a slight overpay. I can understand not wanting to dish out $20 million plus for Tyler Linderbaum in free agency, but could Chicago have afforded Connor McGovern? Or Cade Mays? Those players would not have cost a draft pick.”
CBS Sports: B-
Zachary Pereles: “Acquiring Bradbury is a solid move. It’s nothing spectacular. He’ll replace Dalman positionally, but it’s unlikely he’ll replace his level of play. Dalman was Pro Football Focus’ No. 7 center last year; Bradbury was 29th, and he has never been in the top 10 of the positional ranking in his career. He did not allow a sack last year, but he did allow 29 pressures. For what it’s worth, Dalman allowed 31. The difference was in the run blocking department.
Remember, though, that one of Johnson’s best aspects is his ability to get the best out of his linemen. He did that throughout his time with the Lions, and that carried over last year with the Bears. He gets a lot of recognition for his play designs, play calling and creativity, but the soundness of his protection plans should not be under-appreciated. Bradbury will be surrounded by at least three above-average starters — including Thuney, his college teammate and road-trip roommate — in an excellent system. If Johnson thinks Bradbury can be a good fit, it’s wise to fall in line.
Sports Illustrated: B+
Eva Geitheim: “Days after Drew Dalman’s surprising retirement, the Bears moved quickly to bring in an experienced starting center in Bradbury. The Chargers already signed recently released center Tyler Biadasz to a three-year deal on Friday, and with Tyler Linderbaum expected to receive a market-setting deal and a number of teams pursuing new centers, the Bears opted to acquire Bradbury in a more affordable move.
“This clears up the Bears’ need at center by bringing in a well respected veteran who was praised for his leadership and intelligence at prior stops. Protecting Caleb Williams and running the ball were a key part of Chicago’s success in 2025, and this should allow them to continue doing both those at a high level next season. The move also will let them pursue adding more talent to other positions on the team with their newfound cap space, such as defense and left tackle.
“Another nice bonus of this move is it reunites Bradbury with former college teammate and roommate, Bears guard Joe Thuney. Bradbury said of Thuney back in 2025 via Alex Barth, “I can’t think of a better teammate, player.”
CHGO: B+
Mark Carman: “Garrett Bradbury, come on down. Feels like a reasonable play by the Bears, who, suddenly and seemingly, have all the needs. Ben Johnson knows him well and Bradbury knows the division well. Bradbury also knows what it is like to partner with a young quarterback and get to the Super Bowl in one year’s time. That works. It also keeps a good amount of money available with his salary coming in at just under $6 million. It’s not sexy, but it plays.”
Bears Wire: B-
Brendan Sugrue: “The reaction to this trade has fans split, and it’s understandable. A week ago, no one could imagine the Bears having a need at center, and now everyone has whiplash seeing Bradbury as the solution (for now). Had this deal happened a week from now if the Bears missed out on players like Linderbaum or Connor McGovern, it would be viewed much differently. The fact it was announced before free agency even opened irks people because they believe the Bears didn’t take a big swing.
“There’s also the notion that the Bears are doing what they have always done at key offensive line positions, which is settle for average players instead of finding elite talent. Bradbury certainly falls into the former category, but putting two Pro Bowl-caliber guards on either side of him will help minimize any issues. The Bears didn’t have that luxury a few years ago. It’s a decent move with Bradbury on a manageable contract for very little draft capital going back to the Patriots. It’s not the splashy move, but it’s effective enough for the time being.”
Bears Talk: B
Bryan Perez: “The Bears didn’t land an elite center, but they solved a major roster problem at a very reasonable cost. Bradbury brings starting experience, leadership in the middle of the offensive line, and immediate stability following Dalman’s retirement. While his performance ceiling may be limited, the modest trade compensation makes the move easy to justify.
“Considering the circumstances and the minimal price paid, the Chicago Bears’ trade for Garrett Bradbury earns a B grade.For Chicago, the move may not be splashy, but it addresses a critical position, and sometimes that’s exactly what a successful offseason requires.
This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: How NFL experts graded the Bears’ trade for C Garrett Bradbury
Reporting by Alyssa Barbieri, Bears Wire / Bears Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
