(670 The Score) The Bears have secured their center position by agreeing with Drew Dalman on a three-year deal as the NFL negotiating window opened Monday, a source confirmed. The deal is worth up to $42 million, with $28 million guaranteed, as reported by ESPN.
Dalman, 26, was the best center available in free agency. He was a fourth-round selection of the Falcons in the 2021 NFL Draft and spent his first four seasons in Atlanta, where he appeared in 57 games, starting 40 of them.
Dalman was limited to just nine games in 2024 due to an ankle injury. His deal with the Bears makes him one of the league’s highest-paid centers.
The Bears prioritized the center position in free agency after having instability at that spot in recent years. Chicago has had three different starting centers – Cody Whitehair, Lucas Patrick and Coleman Shelton – in their season opener across the past three years.
Chicago's addition of Dalman completed its overhaul of the interior offensive line. The Bears reached trade agreements last week to acquire guard Jonah Jackson from the Rams and All-Pro guard Joe Thuney from the Chiefs.
Dalman’s deal with the Bears can't become official until Wednesday at 3 p.m., when the NFL's new league year starts.
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago’s sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670.