With their starting center retiring, the Bears eye internal options. Can Luke Newman step up and become the unexpected anchor?
The Chicago Bears have a new position of need this offseason after Pro Bowl center Drew Dalman announced his retirement from the NFL on Tuesday.
Dalman played five years in the NFL, four of which were with the Atlanta Falcons and one with the Bears. He was one of the three offensive linemen General Manager Ryan Poles brought in last offseason.
Poles traded for Joe Thuney and Jonah Jackson and signed Dalman on a free-agent deal.
Chicago also has to find a short-term replacement for Ozzy Trapilo at left tackle after his season-ending patellar injury and a center for 2026.
With free agency coming up, the Bears could try to find a replacement that way. The Bears have already reportedly been in talks with former Washington Commanders center Tyler Biadasz and former Baltimore Ravens center Tyler Linderbaum.
However, there is another option already on the Bears' roster: Luke Newman.
Newman spoke at training camp last year about how the position he is known for is guard, but that he is more comfortable with playing center.
"So, you know, obviously, guard has been more of my natural feel this past season, but really this offseason, the primary focus has been center," Newman said. "You know, I definitely have a good understanding of how to play the position intellectually. Obviously, it's a new playbook here and an adjustment period for that as well, but I really center, all in all, really fits more of my body type. It's kind of more of what my strengths are. Obviously, I have that guard flexibility as well, but I really look forward to learning and adapting to center a lot more."
Newman was a sixth-round draft pick in the 2025 NFL Draft out of Michigan State. He played left guard at Michigan State, but could be a better option for the Bears at center as opposed to spending money in free agency.
Something similar has already been floated around for the solution at left tackle. The Chicago Tribune's Brad Biggs believes it could be better for the Bears to re-sign left tackle Braxton Jones to a one-year deal.
Why not give Newman a shot at winning the center job?
He is still on his rookie deal and won't become a free agent until 2029, according to Spotrac. You can save money by betting on a player already familiar with Ben Johnson's offense instead of getting a new person up to speed.
There are some good centers in free agency for the Bears to choose from, but going with Newman could allow the team to spend money on other key positions in free agency and the 2026 NFL Draft.
Dalman's decision to retire was sudden and very surprising. Still, instead of going out and getting a replacement in free agency, the Bears could benefit from sticking with Newman.
Could Newman be the answer at center this franchise is looking for?