The Chicago Bears needed to address the center position this offseason following Drew Dalman’s sudden retirement. Given their current cap situation, Chicago may not be able to break the bank in free agency and land a high-quality starter like Tyler Linderbaum, Connor McGovern, and Cade Mays. Instead, the Bears may have to settle for one at an affordable rate that is not as elite as Linderbaum but servicable.
The Chicago Bears acquire a former 1st-round pick
Minnesota Vikings, Garrett Bradbury
Jan 13, 2025; Glendale, AZ, USA; Minnesota Vikings center Garrett Bradbury (56) against the Los Angeles Rams during an NFC wild card game at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
According to Ian Rapoport, the New England Patriots have traded Garrett Bradbury to the Chicago Bears for a 2027 fifth-round pick, with the deal finalized at the start of the new league year. The Bears will take on his base salary, per-game bonus, workout bonus, and $1 million LTBE incentives, essentially a one-year, $5.7 million contract. Additionally, Bradbury reunites with Protector of the Year winner Joe Thuney, with whom they were college teammates and travel roommates at NC State.
The #Patriots, who signed Garrett Bradbury to a two-year deal last year, have now flipped him to the #Bears for a 2027 fifth-round pick. Bradbury started all 17 games in New England, helping their run to the Super Bowl. pic.twitter.com/6AwDdhRqXv
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 6, 2026
Here’s a quick review of his 2025 campaign
NFL Trade, Chicago Bears, Garrett Bradbury, New England Patriots, Drew Dalman
Feb 8, 2026; Santa Clara, CA, USA;General view down the line of scrimmage as New England Patriots center Garrett Bradbury (65) prepares to snap the ball against the Seattle Seahawks during Super Bowl LX at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
The New England Patriots signed Garrett Bradbury to a two-year, $9.5 million contract worth up to $12 million last March after he spent his first six years with the Minnesota Vikings and was released. He put together a solid 2025 campaign, starting every game and logging more than 98% of offensive snaps, only sitting during mop-up duty while helping anchor a rushing attack that had the sixth-most rushing yards. Bradbury allowed a 3.12% pressure rate, which ranked 18th among 32 centers, along with 23 hurries, four quarterback hits, and two sacks across 21 starts.
Bears fans have mixed feelings about the trade because adding Bradbury essentially closes the door on the team adding Tyler Linderbaum, Connor McGovern, and Cade Mays. At the same time, some fans are fine with the news because they don’t have to exhaust all of its resources on just one player and can instead add multiple serviceable free agents.
Also Read: Chicago Bears: Send 8,000-Yard Receiver Packing: Here’s Why
Fans react to the trade
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Jan 18, 2026; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bears fans cheer for their team against the Los Angeles Rams during the fourth quarter of an NFC Divisional Round game at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-Imagn Images
I would’ve much rather drafted a fifth round center than this ngl, hopefully this is depth??
— Zaid Tadros 🐻⬇️ (@__Havok___) March 6, 2026
Poles cooked??
— Ryan Sawicki (@ryan81706) March 6, 2026
Smart. Let’s trade for a guy that got his QB sacked 21 times in the playoffs. 🤯
— FadeTheNoise🙉 (@hedgehog9375) March 6, 2026
Solid move by Chicago. Low risk pick for a veteran center upgrade.
— SALSA (@SalsaTech1) March 6, 2026
W poles fleece
— Alex (0-0) 🐻⬇️ (@0rtiz_xela) March 6, 2026
So he’s Ryan Bates 2.0
— TJ Goebig (@GoebigTj) March 6, 2026
For a 2027 5th it’s really a decent deal , we don’t really have a backup center. Bates won’t be back and he’s not gonna cost much
— ALT (@Uxunited17822) March 6, 2026
That’s not Tyler Linderbaum😐
— Reese David (@reesedavid77312) March 6, 2026
I’d much rather have linderbaum
— Hmmm (Brad) (@CubsEnjoyerBANG) March 6, 2026
Perfect timing with Dalman retiring. Caleb Williams now gets a veteran mentor, and giving up a 2027 5th for a starting center is basically a bargain.
— OLUWAFEMI (@Oluwafemis02) March 6, 2026
I don’t hate it
— Starr ★ (@RacStar_) March 6, 2026
Finally! The Bears get some proven talent in the trenches. Let’s see if Bradbury can turn things around.
— Nyambose (@Nyambose215270) March 6, 2026
Low risk move, high upside. Bears quietly cooking again.
— Aqeel(inDesignThemes) (@a786r) March 6, 2026
So they got worse at center
— David (@ThisPackersFan) March 6, 2026
This is a dumb move by Poles. You have an opportunity to get a 25yr old center and your brain froze and you went for a 30yrd old. I don’t get this trade.
— K. San (@ayala10ng) March 6, 2026
I don’t mind the Garrett Bradbury trade at all. I think they needed a veteran there regardless and it might not take them out of Linderbaum market. But that’s a guy you can feel confident starting if you have to, and throw money around at other spots if you don’t get Linderbaum
— adam (@_adamhess) March 7, 2026
Gigantic downgrade for Chicago, wow.
— Tony Hughes (@TC_Hughes) March 6, 2026
🤣🤣🤣
— PurpleReignVikings (@reign_vikings) March 6, 2026