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LANDOVER, MARYLAND - OCTOBER 27: Tyler Biadasz #63 of the Washington Commanders prepares to snap the ball to Jayden Daniels #5 during the first quarter against the Chicago Bears at Northwest Stadium on October 27, 2024 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images)
The Chicago Bears suddenly have a major question to answer in the middle of their offensive line.
Just minutes after veteran center Drew Dalman announced his surprising retirement Tuesday afternoon, the team appears to already be exploring a potential replacement. According to NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport, the Bears are hosting free agent center Tyler Biadasz for a visit.
Rapoport shared the update on X as news of Dalman’s decision spread around the league.
“The Bears are hosting free agent center Tyler Biadasz on a visit, source said,” Rapoport wrote. “The former Commanders starter was recently released and now is available before the frenzy begins.”
The timing immediately stands out.
Dalman’s retirement leaves a significant void on the offensive line just days before the start of the new league year. Chicago now faces the challenge of stabilizing one of the most important positions on the offense. Bringing Biadasz in for a visit suggests the front office is moving quickly to evaluate one of the most experienced options available.
Tyler Biadasz Emerges as Bears’ Immediate Replacement Option
Biadasz could represent one of the most logical short-term solutions for Chicago following Dalman’s sudden exit.
The veteran center was released by the Washington Commanders earlier this offseason in what was widely viewed as a salary cap decision rather than a performance issue. Before his time in Washington, Biadasz spent four seasons with the Dallas Cowboys and developed into a reliable starter in the middle of their offensive line.
During that stretch he appeared in more than 80 games and earned Pro Bowl honors in 2022. His experience calling protections and anchoring the interior line helped establish him as a dependable presence up front.
That profile makes him an intriguing option for the Bears’ offense.
Chicago relied heavily on Dalman to manage the line of scrimmage and organize protections. Replacing that level of experience will not be easy, but Biadasz is one of the few available centers who has already handled those types of responsibilities at a high level.
The fact that the Bears are bringing him in immediately after Dalman’s retirement suggests the team views him as a legitimate candidate to step into the role quickly.
Dalman’s Retirement Creates Sudden Need for Bears
Dalman’s decision came as a surprise given how important he had been to Chicago’s offensive line.
Two years ago, the Bears had one of the worst-rated offensive lines in the NFL. Last season, they ranked third in the entire league, marking one of the most dramatic one-year improvements in recent memory.
Much of that improvement was a direct result of Dalman and Joe Thuney joining the team.
Dalman quickly became one of the most consistent pieces of the unit. His ability to control the interior and support the run game helped stabilize an offense that made major strides during the 2025 season.
Dalman’s retirement was the worst possible news Chicago could have received today, especially given how unexpected the decision was.
With free agency approaching, the Bears must quickly identify whether a veteran replacement, the draft, or internal options will fill the massive void.
Biadasz now appears firmly in that conversation. If the visit goes well, Chicago could move quickly to secure a new starting center before the broader free agent market begins to unfold.