Free-agent center Drew Dalman, who was considered the top center on the market this year, reached an agreement on Monday on a three-year, $42 million deal with the Chicago Bears that includes $28 million guaranteed, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter. The deal makes Dalmon the league's second-highest-paid center. It's the latest addition for the Bears as general manager Ryan Poles continues to address the offensive line for new head coach Ben Johnson. Last week, Chicago traded for guards Jonah Jackson and Joe Thuney. The 26-year-old Dalman missed eight games last year due to a high-ankle sprain he suffered in Week 3, but he also started 40 games for the Atlanta Falcons over the last three years and will be a big upgrade to the center position in the Windy City. Dalman allowed only two sacks in nine games played a year ago. All of Chicago's O-line additions are great news for second-year quarterback Caleb Williams.
Per FOX Sports NFL insider Jordan Schultz, free-agent center Drew Dalman is expected to have a "strong market" in free agency, with the Chicago Bears specifically as a strong suitor. The 26-year-old spent his first four seasons with the Falcons after Atlanta took him in the fourth round of the 2021 NFL Draft. Dalman played in just nine games last season when he sustained an ankle injury, missing a chunk of time in the middle of the year. However, when healthy, he was a key part of the Falcons' offensive front. A move to Chicago would be intriguing, as the Bears have already sunk resources into offensive linemen Joe Thuney and Jonah Jackson, addressing their most glaring issue of the 2024 season. If Dalman does make his way to the Windy City, it'd undoubtedly boost the prospects of second-year quarterback Caleb Williams and the entire Chicago offense.
Falcons Prepared To Lose Drew Dalman In Free Agency
ESPN's Dan Graziano writes that the Atlanta Falcons are prepared to lose center Drew Dalman in free agency this offseason. Ideally, Atlanta would love to re-sign him, but Dalman will likely get offered more on the open market, with ESPN's Jeremy Fowler saying Dalman will easily top the free-agent market at the position. Meanwhile, the Falcon will tender restricted free-agent center Ryan Neuzil, who will end up replacing Dalman. It remains to be seen if Dalman will top Creed Humphrey's four-year, $72 million deal, but either way, he's going to do pretty well for himself. In addition to Dalman, Fowler notes that Green Bay Packers impending center Josh Myers should have a strong market in free agency after avoiding what looked like a potential serious injury in the playoffs.
Drew Dalman
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Bears
