Sam Hecht
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INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - MARCH 01: Sam Hecht of the Kansas State Wildcats participates in a drill during the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 01, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
After the unfortunate news regarding Chicago Bears center Drew Dalman announcing his retirement, the Bears already have their eyes on Kansas State center Sam Hecht.
According to Bears insider Brad Biggs, the Bears sent a bunch of scouts and coaches to Kansas State’s pro day with a focus on Hecht.
“I’m told the#Bears had a large contingent of scouts/coaches at the Kansas State pro day on Tuesday with a focus on center Sam Hecht. Hecht is just one of many prospects I’d expect the team to get a close look at in the pre-draft process.”
Multiple ESPN analysts have Hecht as one of the top centers in this year’s draft, and he could be in a Bears’ uniform in the coming months.
Sam Hecht Comments on Potentially Blocking for Caleb Williams
In an appearance on Kay Adams’ Up & Adams show, she asked Hecht about his thoughts on potentially blocking for QB Caleb Williams. “I mean, yeah, protecting a quarterback of that caliber. That’s super exciting for sure.”
Hecht also commented on the Bears’ coaching staff, who led the drills during his pro day. “The staff, the O-line coach and assistant line coach were amazing. I feel like we grew a good relationship just a short time that we had with each other.”
Adams then asked Hecht what his favorite on-field trait is when watching Caleb Williams on the field. “Just the ability to make plays. He’s a playmaker.”
It’s obvious he would love the opportunity to play for Chicago, and the fact that he looks like Drew Dalman makes it meant to be, right?
More on Hecht and Projected Round He’ll Be Drafted
Hecht would be a perfect fit in Chicago. The Bears use an outside zone scheme on offense, which Hecht is best playing in.
Not only that, but with him projected to go in the second round, Chicago can afford to use a high-round draft pick on him since they have not one, but two second-round picks, thanks to the DJ Moore trade.
Here’s some more information on Hecht by DraftNerd on X:
“Up next Center Sam Hecht! 6’4 305lb. Perfect for teams who utilize outside zone, excellent puller and ability to reach the B gap! Always looking for work. Anchor is outstanding and quickly resets after being bull rushed! Really good pass blocker, Invitations to both the Senior Bowl and Shrine Bowl followed, along with spots on the Outland Trophy and Rimington Trophy watch lists. He was also named a William V. Campbell Trophy Semifinalist. 2nd round grade.”
Hecht closed out his collegiate career by starting the final 25 games, delivering an outstanding senior season in 2025. Across 392 pass-blocking snaps, he did not allow a single sack or quarterback hit.
Now, the Bears did trade a fifth-round pick to acquire projected starting center Garrett Bradbury from the New England Patriots this offseason, but if anything, that just gives Hecht more time to develop before being thrown in as the starting center.
Another thing to note is that Bradbury is in the final year of his contract, so Chicago could just have him start during the 2026 season and have Hecht slot in as the starting center the following year.
Either way, Hecht is no doubt on the Bears’ radar and would provide some high upside as the potential center of the future in Chicago.