A Pro Bowl center is reportedly ending his NFL career after five seasons at age 27.
Drew Dalman, who signed a three-year, $42 million contract with the Chicago Bears in March 2025, is hanging up his cleats according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.
Advertisement
MORE:Former Eagles linebacker, 6-year NFL veteran, dies
Last year, the offensive line helped the Bears win the NFC North title by ranking No. 1 in pass block win rate (74%) and fifth in run block win rate (74%).
As a rookie in 2024, Bears quarterback Caleb Williams was sacked a league-high 68 times. During his second season, that number dropped to 24 sacks.
Advertisement
Dalman started all 17 games and earned his first Pro Bowl selection after the 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. pic.twitter.com/SKJcXa1res
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 3, 2026
A fourth-round pick by the Falcons in the 2021 NFL Draft, Dalman played four seasons in Atlanta (2021-24).
Advertisement
“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,” Fox Sports’ Carmen Vitali wrote Tuesday on X.
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
Chris Dalman, a center and guard, played seven seasons in San Francisco won a Super Bowl with the 49ers in 1995.
—Enjoy free coverage of the top news & trending stories on The Big Lead—
NFL DRAFT:Iowa football star Gennings Dunker steals show at NFL Combine with viral mullet
MLB:Bob Costas makes clear statement on Shohei Ohtani’s MLB GOAT status
MMA:Jon Jones shares major news about UFC White House fight card
ENTERTAINMENT:2026 SAG Actor Awards winners list, ‘Sinners’ & Michael B Jordan win big
SPORTS MEDIA:LSU gymnastics star Kailin Chio surpasses Olympic champ Jordan Chiles
VIRAL:Florida Man charged for stealing trading cards with taco seasoning packets