The Chicago Bears have reached an agreement to trade for veteran center Garrett Bradbury from the New England Patriots, sending a 2027 fifth-round draft pick in exchange. The deal was finalized on Friday but will officially take effect once the new NFL league year begins on Wednesday. This move comes shortly after Bears center Drew Dalman unexpectedly retired, leaving the team seeking an experienced replacement.
Bradbury’s Career and Role With the Bears
Garrett Bradbury, originally a first-round pick in 2019, spent six seasons with the Minnesota Vikings before signing a two-year contract with the Patriots in March 2025, valued at up to $12 million. The Bears will be responsible for $4.7 million on the remaining year of Bradbury’s contract. During his sole season with New England, Bradbury started all 17 regular-season games along with four playoff contests, providing leadership and stability to an offensive line featuring rookies Will Campbell at left tackle and Jared Wilson at left guard.
Adding Stability Amid Significant Lineup Changes
Bradbury’s 105 career starts bring valuable experience to a Bears offensive line that has seen nearly half of its starting players depart this offseason. Alongside Dalman’s retirement, left tackle Ozzy Trapilo is expected to miss most of the offseason due to knee surgery. Additionally, linebacker Tremaine Edmunds’ contract was terminated this week, and wide receiver DJ Moore was traded to the Buffalo Bills, creating approximately $44 million in salary cap space for Chicago since Tuesday.
Fit Within the Bears’ Offensive Scheme
Bradbury’s most productive seasons came during his early years with Minnesota’s zone-based offense featuring play-action and misdirection. Under new Bears head coach Ben Johnson, Chicago’s offense operated under center on 49% of plays during the 2025 season, ranking fifth in the league, and used play-action on 32% of dropbacks. The Bears finished with the sixth-highest explosive play rate in the NFL (15.0%), suggesting Bradbury’s skillset aligns well with their system.
New England’s Next Steps at Center
Following the trade, the Patriots appear set to promote Jared Wilson, their 2025 third-round pick, to fill Bradbury’s role. Wilson played center at Georgia but adapted to left guard with New England’s approach emphasizing the best five linemen starting regardless of their traditional position.
Impact of the Trade and Future Outlook
By securing Garrett Bradbury, the Bears quickly addressed a critical need on their offensive line without a costly free-agent signing. Bradbury’s veteran presence is expected to improve line stability as Chicago prepares for the upcoming season amid significant roster changes. With cap space freed up and a more solidified offensive front, the team is positioned to focus on bolstering other areas during free agency and subsequent training camps.
