Drew Dalman is on the move, and his destination comes as no surprise. A deal is in place between the top center on the market and the Bears. 
Chicago is set to add Dalman on a three-year, $42MM deal, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports. The pact includes $28MM in guarantees. Once the contract is signed, the Bears will have completed their renovation along the interior of the offensive line.
Dalman expressed a desire to remain with the Falcons after playing out his rookie contract, with team and player meeting at the Combine. In the wake of those talks, though, it seemed the 26-year-old would at least explore outside options. The Bears were named as a suitor to watch as it became clear Dalman would have a strong market. Now, a lucrative pact has been worked out.
After barely seeing any playing time as a rookie, Dalman served as the Falcons’ starting center for each of the past three years. His consistent performances in that role helped outweigh the fact he was limited to only nine games in 2024. Expectations will be high upon arrival in the Windy City as the Bears look to find a permanent solution at center after cycling though several options in recent years.
Chicago entered the 2025 offseason with questions everywhere along the O-line aside from right tackle Darnell Wright. Both guard spots have already been addressed, though, with trade agreements being worked out with the Rams for Jonah Jackson and with the Chiefs for Joe Thuney. Those two, along with Dalman, should represent a notable upgrade compared to where things stood last year.
Ryan Neuzil is in place as a potential Dalman successor in Atlanta. Today’s news likely means he will step into a starting role on a full-time basis as part of a Falcons unit which already includes big-money deals for guard Chris Lindstrom, right tackle Kaleb McGary and – most recently – left tackle Jake Matthews. Left guard Matthew Bergeron is also in place for next year, but the center spot will look different in 2025.
Great!
Bears solidifying that O-line again. Love it.
The ream that has seemed to win the off season the past two years, The Chicago Bears putting another great one for the third year in a row. Now fans can move onto the regular season and see if misery continues or will they return to the greatness of 2018. What could send Bear fans into depression this year? Should be fun
I’m excited to see what Caleb and crew can do with a solid offensive line. Very happy with these moves so far…
Solid signing. Falcons suck
We don’t suck buddy calm down lol
Seemed inevitable. Easily the best center available, big need for the Bears, and Dalman would only be a fit for some offenses anyway. He’s not elite or anything, but good for the Bears that they didn’t have to shell out tippy top of the market center money to make this happen.
Dalman is an elite run blocker. Pass blocking? Not so much.
He’ll be fine playing with Thuney and Jackson.
Even if that’s true it makes him about 5 times better than the last group of centers the Bears have had. They were turnstiles.
Hilarious! Dahlman had worse pass blocking grades than Coleman Shelton in 2024 according to PFF, while also missing 11 games (and two additional halfs) to injury over the past two years while Shelton has started 34 straight. Signing Dahlman counts as -1 in the Comp pick formula and now he’s being paid the 2nd highest salary for Centers across the league. Not a good long-term strategy imo.
Good long-term strategy imo.
Shelton spent last year with cleat marks on his chest from being run over. If he needs a ride to the airport I’ll pay.
Dalman has elite run blocking numbers, and Ben Johnson had the #1 offense in the league last season, in large part, because the Lions could run the ball at will. That’s the strategy in Chicago now.
If I could only post the picture of the Bears entire O-Line laying on the ground after getting beat on 4th and Goal against the Colts last year.
They’re not messing around. Their IOL is gonna be seriously improved. I wouldn’t be surprised if they draft a tackle at 10. Jones is average at LT and could get beat out by Campbell or Simmons.
I was just thinking the same thing. Since Simmons is injured the Bears could trade down from 10 and still get Simmons and just let him heal up and get some more picks to replace the ones they lost. Although the Bears history of drafting injured O Lineman isn’t exactly the best, This seems like a solid plan. At the worst if all the O lineman are gone( Which isn’t possible) Because they could always take Zabel. Either way I always am in favor of trading down rather than up. Would make Jeanty in play also. Lots of good things can happen with more picks.
Zabel might end up being the stud of the whole Oline class.
I completely agree. Zabel is on the Bears radar. Among other teams. Both Tom Thayer and Olin Kreutz, former Bear’s linemen say he’s the real deal. Stay away from Simmons. That’s my recommendation. No doubt he would have been the top ranked O-lineman in the draft without that torn patella injury. Stay away from that unless he falls way down to the middle rounds. The Bears don’t need another Kevin White (WR) or Gabe Carimi (O- Tackle) Both players with leg and knee injuries in college who sadly failed miserably in the NFL.
If they can get help in free agency to help the DL, why not take Jeanty?
Bears now have arguably the best interior offensive line.
Their interior line is definitely BETTER…
They’re still going to take some time to mesh but once they do and everyone stays healthy it should be awesome. O Line is the one group that needs to be on the same page to be successful. They say the new O Line coach is very good. He’s certainly got some talented clay to work with now and probably more to come in the draft.
Yes, it will take time. But nothing training camp shouldn’t solve. These men are veterans. Additionally, like you stated the O-Line Coach sounds competent. Hopefully, fingers crossed and maybe even some prayers if that’s a person’s thing- No serious injuries.
Yeah but I’m sorry to say it’s more complicated than that. They are going to have to get used to each other and that only comes with playing time in real games. I don’t envision any of these guys playing long minutes in the pre season do you? It was one of the reasons I hated Eberlose more and more because his mantra was practice is the same as games. Uhhhh, No it isn’t. Bears were never prepared to start a season. He was a joke.
HANG THE BANNER
BACK TO BACK TO BACK OFFSEASON CHAMPS
Nice, an all free-agent O-Line. I’m sure they’ll be great together.
Jonah & Joe were acquired in trades. They were not free agents.
Thank You for the correction. Still an Avengers Assemble O-Line.
As opposed to…
Yeah, they should’ve stuck with the same line they had last year
Sick. Good AAV too. I thought he was going to demand more.
Now we just need one D Line piece and we have the freedom to draft BPA in the draft.
Chef Poles does it again.
OT or RB at 10 is my guess
Long time Falcons fan. He’s pretty good; he also played next to best guard in NFL. Definitely overpaid. Should do well in that scheme though.
Most FA’s are overpaid. Why it’s better to draft them. But when you haven’t done that it’s gonna cost. The Bears needed 4 guys and got 3 at reasonable prices for the next 2 years at least. They are all solid pieces.
Agreed, line will be much better.
I would’ve liked to keep him to keep our group intact though; they played well together.
He’s going to be playing beside Thuney in Chicago who is arguably the best or 2nd best guard in the league behind Lindstrom.
Another ShanaLynch failure
Bears are serious about protecting Caleb I respect it