Former Atlanta Falcons center Drew Dalman has surprised the football world by deciding to retire from the NFL at only 27 years old, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Dalman informed his current team, the Chicago Bears, of his decision, ending a promising career after five seasons in the league.
Progression Through Four Seasons with the Falcons
Dalman entered the NFL when the Falcons selected him in the fourth round of the 2021 NFL Draft following a college career at Stanford. Over four years in Atlanta, he appeared in 57 games and started 40 of them. His presence on the offensive line grew steadily, culminating in taking all offensive snaps for the Falcons in 2022 and nearly all in 2023.
His last season with Atlanta was disrupted by an ankle injury after nine starts, forcing him to miss the remainder of the year. Ryan Neuzil served as the Falcons’ starting center in 2025 during his absence.
Entry to the Chicago Bears and Exceptional 2025 Campaign
After becoming a free agent, Dalman quickly became one of the top targets on the open market. He secured a lucrative three-year, $42 million contract with the Chicago Bears, a key piece in the Bears’ offseason offensive line overhaul which also included adding Joe Thuney and Jonah Jackson.
“As our pro staff puts our free agent board together, I often, throughout the season, take a peek at it as I forecast forward, (Dalman’s) name popped up. I put his tape on. And he was definitely at the very, very top of our list,”
Bears general manager Ryan Poles said last March.
Dalman rewarded the Bears’ confidence by delivering a Pro Bowl-worthy season in 2025. He started all 17 games, playing every offensive snap while surrendering only one sack the entire year.
Impact on the Bears’ Offensive Line and Team Success
Dalman’s leadership helped elevate the Bears’ offensive line to elite status. The unit ranked first in the NFL for pass block win-rate and fifth in run block efficiency. This transformation directly contributed to Chicago’s successful push for the NFC North title and their first playoff berth in 15 years.
The improvement was also evident in quarterback Caleb Williams’ protection, going from a league-worst 68 sacks allowed in 2024 to just 24 the following season.
Retirement Signals Early End to a Promising Career
Drew Dalman is concluding his NFL journey after five seasons, with 57 starts from his tenure at Atlanta and Chicago. His early departure leaves questions about his next steps but marks the close of a productive career defined by consistency and resilience in the trenches.
Dalman’s retirement will undeniably affect the Bears’ offensive line plans moving forward, as they now face the challenge of replacing a key Pro Bowl-caliber player who anchored their protection and run-blocking schemes.
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
The Bears signed Drew Dalman to a three-year, $42M contract last offseason, and he turned in a Pro Bowl season, starting all 17 games and playing all 1,154 offensive snaps.
And now he makes the stunning decision to step away. https://t.co/fqtBCq5ewX
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 3, 2026
