With center uncertainty looming, Chicago eyes draft talent. Four elite prospects promise future stability, potentially reshaping the offensive line.
The Chicago Bears are in a tricky spot at center for the next few seasons.
Drew Dalman surprised everyone with the news of his retirement after five seasons in the NFL. The move freed up $10 million in cap space for the Bears, since his salary was forfeited.
Chicago had to move quickly.
General Manager Ryan Poles went out and brought in former New England Patriots center Garrett Bradbury. Bradbury joined the team on a two-year deal worth $9.5 million.
That's the problem, though. It's clear that Poles doesn't see Bradbury as the team's solution at center since he's on just a two-year deal.
There is a bright side to all of us.
The Bears have four picks inside the first 100 picks of the 2026 NFL Draft. Four centers are projected to go within the first 100 picks, via NFLMockDraftDatabase.com. Those centers are Connor Lew (Auburn), Sam Hecht (Kansas State), Logan Jones (Iowa) and Jake Slaughter (Florida).
As fate would have it, they are all in the top five on Mel Kiper's big board for centers as well.
Here's what each of those centers brings to the table:
Connor Lew, Auburn
Lew didn't start right away, but it didn't take him long to earn the starting role.
He came in for Avery Jones at Auburn after he suffered an injury during his freshman year, and has held down center ever since. Lew started in every game for the Tigers in 2024, but then disaster struck in 2025.
Lew started in seven games for the Tigers before suffering a season-ending injury. He played in 758 snaps during his time at Auburn and allowed only one sack.
Sam Hecht, Kansas State
Hecht is another center who wasn't the starter right away, but once he came into his own, he was a force on the offensive line.
He had 42 starts at center for Kansas State. In 2025, he demonstrated great discipline, going a full season without being flagged for a single penalty. The year before that, he was flagged just two times for penalties.
Plus, Hecht was excited about the opportunity to block for Caleb Williams if the Bears draft him, courtesy of the "Up & Adams Show."
Hecht comes in at 6-foot-4, 300 pounds.
Logan Jones, Iowa
Jones brings in some hardware with him into the NFL.
He took home the Rimington Trophy, which goes out annually to the best center in college football.
His college career started in 2020, so he has plenty of experience. Jones won the starting job at center in 2022 and never looked back.
If you're looking for the center with the most games played, Jones is your man.
Jake Slaughter, Florida
Slaughter started his college career in 2021 with the Gators.
He didn't see any impactful playing time until his third year with the program. Slaughter has 33 games of starting experience under his belt.
In his final season with Florida, he received a PFF pass block grade of 87.1.
We've seen how impactful second and third-round picks can be for the Bears. They wouldn't even have to play right away, with Bradbury the short-term solution at center.
It sounds like there are some quality options at center for the Bears to choose from in April.