The Chicago Bears have been justified by giving up a 2027 fifth-round pick for Garrett Bradbury's $4.7 million expiring contract, based on the market's recent behavior; primarily, the Buffalo Bills' four-year, $52 million extension for Connor McGovern, which includes $32 million guaranteed.
Of course, McGovern is a multi-position hand who has averaged a 69.3 Pro Football Focus protection grade over the past two seasons. He gave up zero sacks in 2024 and 2025. This past season, McGovern had a 73.4 pass-blocking grade and the second-best pass block win rate (97.2 percent). He leaves a bit to be desired in the run game, but McGovern is among the top pass-protecting IOL in the league.
It's all about the fit, though. Instead of potentially splurging on McGovern, Chicago can now hand the baton to the former New England Patriots center at a much cheaper rate and focus its resources elsewhere across the depth chart. Bradbury's best days came in a zone scheme offense earlier in his career with the Minnesota Vikings. Per ESPN's Courtney Cronin, Ben Johnson's play-calls were under center 49 percent of the time in 2025, good for No. 5 in the NFL, and were play-action calls on 32 percent of Caleb Williams' dropbacks. That was a significant increase in non-spread plays from Williams' career with the USC Trojans. One figures Johnson's play-calling will continue to go that way with Bradbury.
Drew Dalman's sudden retirement could've caused chaos in the middle, but Ryan Poles acted quickly to avoid any issues. Assuming Bradbury handles the center position well.
Garrett Bradbury Trade Allows Bears to Focus on DL
Bradbury's arrival is important to the IOL, with his experience playing guard for the NC State Wolfpack giving him theoretical two-position availability. More importantly, it allows Chicago to focus on what really matters.
The Bears' near-loss to the Green Bay Packers in the NFC wild-card round exposed how soft the team's pass-rush was. Jordan Love was pressured on only 18 percent of his dropbacks and was free to toss darts around the field throughout the first half. With defensive tackles Andrew Billings and Chris Williams out the door this offseason, the interior defensive trenches are an area of improvement. Adequate edge rushers may as well be a dire need on Poles's championship vision board.
With a budding contender, the basics need to be met. And with the center spot in a good place, the Bears can focus much of their protection budget on a blindside tackle.
Poles can now focus on tackles on both sides of the ball and edge rushers in the draft and free agency. The Bradbury trade turned out to be the bargain the doctor ordered for Chicago.