With Dalman gone, the Bears pivot quickly, hosting Tyler Biadasz and inquiring about Tyler Linderbaum to solidify their offensive line.
The news about Drew Dalman shocked the Chicago Bears' world on Tuesday.
The center announced on social media that he would be retiring from the NFL, leaving the Bears with a big decision to make regarding the position for 2026. Now, the team is making quick work of finding a suitable replacement for him.
Dalman was with the Atlanta Falcons from 2021-24 before joining the Bears on a three-year, $42 million free-agent deal.
General Manager Ryan Poles saw that the Bears had a glaring need at offensive line last offseason, and added Dalman from free agency, traded for Joe Thuney from the Kansas City Chiefs, and traded for Jonah Jackson from the Los Angeles Rams.
It wasn't long after the news of Dalman's retirement broke that more details came out about who the team is pursuing at center in free agency.
NFL Network's Ian Rapoport shared that the Bears were bringing in former Washington Commanders center Tyler Biadasz for a visit. Then, Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer reported that Chicago had asked about former Baltimore Ravens center Tyler Linderbaum.
Chicago will now have two needs along the offensive line to address in either free agency or the 2026 NFL Draft.
The Bears also need to decide on what they will do at left tackle for next season. Ozzy Trapilo suffered a season-ending patellar injury in the win over the Green Bay Packers in the Wild Card and is projected to miss the majority of the 2026 season.
Linderbaum is the younger option at center. He is fresh off his rookie contract with the Ravens and is entering free agency as an unrestricted free agent. Linderbaum was drafted in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft out of Iowa.
Why not replace one Pro Bowler with another? Linderbaum has made the Pro Bowl three times in his NFL career. The only problem is that Linderbaum will demand over $17 million per year in his next contract, according to Spotrac.
Biadasz is 28 and is entering the free agent market for the second time in his NFL career. He was a fourth-round draft pick by the Dallas Cowboys out of Wisconsin in the 2020 NFL Draft.
Biadasz played for the Cowboys from 2020-23 and made one Pro Bowl in his second-to-last season with the franchise. He then joined the Commanders as a free agent and played for them from 2024-25, starting in 31 games.
If the Bears go with Biadasz, it will save them money, as his market value is just over $10 million.
Dalman won't be an easy player to replace by any means, but it sounds like the free agent market for center will have plenty of reliable options to pick from.