The New England Patriots are set to reshape their offensive line in 2026 after trading veteran center Garrett Bradbury to the Chicago Bears for a fifth-round draft pick, responding swiftly to Chicago‘s unexpected need at center following Drew Dalman’s retirement announcement. This move comes as part of the Patriots’ strategy to strengthen their offensive front and develop young talent within their roster.
Trade Details and Situational Context
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Patriots agreed to send Garrett Bradbury to the Bears for a 2027 fifth-round pick. Dalman’s early retirement at just 27 years old left the Chicago Bears scrambling for a dependable center, creating an opportunity the Patriots capitalized on. This trade price mirrors a recent deal where the Cleveland Browns traded right tackle Tytus Howard to the Houston Texans for a similar fifth-round pick.
Bradbury, who joined New England after being released by the Minnesota Vikings, played an important role in anchoring the Patriots’ line for quarterback Drake Maye during the 2025 season. His leadership and experience were especially valuable to the team’s rookies, tackle Will Campbell and guard Jared Wilson, who both contributed significantly on the left side when healthy.
Patriots general manager Eliot Wolf confirmed at the NFL Scouting Combine that Campbell would retain his position at left tackle, despite some playoff struggles coming off a sprained MCL, dismissing any plans to move him to guard or right tackle.
Jared Wilson Set to Take Center Stage
With Bradbury’s departure, guard Jared Wilson looks poised to assume the role of starting center. Wilson’s versatility was honed during his time with the Georgia Bulldogs, where he played multiple guard positions but spent the 2023 and 2024 seasons primarily at center. This shift would allow a veteran guard to fill the gap alongside Wilson and Campbell, strengthening the interior line.
“With the Patriots agreeing to trade center Garrett Bradbury to the Bears for a 2027 fifth-round pick (per @AdamSchefter), it further opens the door to move Jared Wilson back to his college position at center.” — Mike Reiss, NFL Analyst
One veteran guard who could fill the open slot is Joel Bitonio of the Cleveland Browns. Bitonio’s contract extension deadline was deferred to allow him time to decide on retirement. At 34, Bitonio remains one of the league’s best pass-blocking guards. Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel’s 2024 season working alongside Bitonio and Cleveland’s offensive line in a coaching and consultant capacity adds a layer of familiarity that could influence such a signing. The Browns plan to have clarity on Bitonio’s future by Tuesday.
Other potential veteran targets include offensive linemen Isaac Seumalo from the Pittsburgh Steelers, Zion Johnson from the Los Angeles Chargers, and David Edwards from the Buffalo Bills. These players are well known to Vrabel and the Patriots after intense competition during the 2025 season.
Implications of a Lively Free Agent Market for Centers and Guards
Chicago’s rapid acquisition of Bradbury underscores the thin depth available at center in this year’s free agent class, which is top-heavy with stars like Tyler Linderbaum of the Baltimore Ravens and Connor McGovern of the Buffalo Bills. This scarcity makes the Patriots’ decision to move Wilson back to center a strategic move to maximize value, especially with Wilson still on his rookie contract entering Year 2.
Consequently, improving their guard position has taken on added urgency for the Patriots. With the center spot stabilizing internally, the team’s highest priority in the upcoming free agency period and draft is to bolster the guard position to provide better protection for quarterback Drake Maye and solidify the offensive line unit.
Comp update: Bears are trading a 2027 fifth-round pick to the Patriots for Garrett Bradbury. https://t.co/XO6Bfg1yr0
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 6, 2026
With the Patriots agreeing to trade center Garrett Bradbury to the Bears for a 2027 fifth-round pick (per @AdamSchefter), it further opens the door to move Jared Wilson back to his college position at center.
— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) March 6, 2026
