Ben Johnson head coach Chicago Bears
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CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - JANUARY 18: Head coach Ben Johnson of the Chicago Bears looks on before the game against the Los Angeles Rams in the NFC Divisional Playoffs at Soldier Field on January 18, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
The Chicago Bears made one of the more impressive year-on-year transformations in 2025, going from first to last in the competitive NFC North division and finding their way to the Divisional Round of the playoffs, where they ultimately fell to the Los Angeles Rams in overtime.
Although quarterback Caleb Williams’ improvement and new head coach Ben Johnson’s leadership did a lot for the Bears, perhaps an even bigger factor was the the total overhaul of the interior offensive line.
Drew Dalman, Joe Thuney and Jonah Jackson replaced Coleman Shelton, Teven Jenkins and Matt Pryor at center and the two guard positions, and the results were massive.
The Bears ended 2025 as the third rated offensive line in the entire league, per Pro Football Focus, and with the third most rushing yards in the NFL – as much of the success of the run game is dependant on the quality of the interior offensive lineman.
However, according Adam Schefter, the Bears have suffered a massive blow at the position group, as Dalman will retire prior to the start of the 2026 season.
“ESPN sources: Bears Pro Bowl center Drew Dalman has informed the team that he is retiring from the NFL at age 27. Dalman left Stanford in 2021, and after four seasons in Atlanta and one in Chicago, he has made the sudden and surprising decision to retire.” Schefter wrote on X.
Although the decision comes as a huge shock for Bears fans and the broader NFL fan and media base, this was a decision that was in the works for a while, per Ian Rapoport.
“Bears Pro Bowler Drew Dalman had been contemplating retirement for some time, and now it seems Chicago needs a new center.” Ian Rapoport posted.
Now with Dalman out the picture, Schefter notes that Chicago will once again have to spend their offseason figuring out at least a couple of positions on the offensive line.
The Bears put a big focus on their interior OL last offseason, trading for Jonah Jackson and Joe Thuney and signing Drew Dalman.
They now have to address center again while also figuring out their LT spot after Ozzy Trapilo ruptured his patellar tendon in the playoffs. https://t.co/fqtBCq5ewX
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 3, 2026
“The Bears put a big focus on their interior OL last offseason, trading for Jonah Jackson and Joe Thuney and signing Drew Dalman.” Schefter replied to his original breaking news.”They now have to address center again while also figuring out their LT spot after Ozzy Trapilo ruptured his patellar tendon in the playoffs.”
Why Did Drew Dalman Retire From Football?
It is not clear at this point what exactly triggered the 27 year olds’ somewhat abrupt close to his otherwise very promising career in football. Dalman was originally a fourth round draft pick out of Stanford, and after securing the Atlanta Falcons‘ starting center role back in 2022 never let it go until signing with the Bears last offseason.
He had his most impressive season to date in 2025 – his first and only with the Bears – which saw him start every single game and make the Pro Bowl.
Perhaps some light can be shed on the situation by Fox Sports Radio’s Carmen Vitali, who points out that given Dalman’s lineage coming from a player and coach, he would know the right time to call it quits.
Drew’s dad was a player and a coach. He’s seen first-hand life after football and the effects the game can have. If anyone is going to make an informed decision on when it’s time to hang ‘em up, it’s Drew.
Happy for him. Sad for the Bears. https://t.co/piwxZJIyu1
— Carmen Vitali (@CarmieV) March 3, 2026
“Drew’s dad was a player and a coach. He’s seen first-hand life after football and the effects the game can have. If anyone is going to make an informed decision on when it’s time to hang ‘em up, it’s Drew. ” Vitali wrote.