Shockwaves hit Chicago Bears fans on Tuesday when ESPN's Adam Schefter reported that "center Drew Dalman has informed the team that he is retiring from the NFL." That's a surprising development and creates a massive hole in the middle of the Bears' offensive line.
With free agency right around the corner, Chicago will have to move quickly in finding a replacement, and a former Pro Bowler's release came at the right time. And Chicago is wasting no time, as NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported that the Bears are bringing in Tyler Biadasz for a visit.
Tyler Biadasz Could Be Bears Best Replacement Option for Drew Dalman
Dalman was a big-ticket addition for the Bears last offseason, inking a three-year, $42 million deal. He was a Pro Bowl force upfront, allowing just one sack and committing one penalty. On Pro Football Focus, Dalman had a 77.5 overall grade (6th among 40 graded centers), 78.9 run-blocking grade (7th among 40 graded centers), and a 69 pass-blocking grade (14th among 40 graded centers).
There's no taking away how effective Dalman was upfront, but Biadasz may be the best option for the Bears to fill in at that spot. He was released by the Washington Commanders on Feb. 26 in a cap-saving move, but he's still been a solid starter in the NFL, which his PFF numbers back up:
Tyler Biadasz Grades | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|
Overall | 68.6 | 69.0 | 70.7 |
Pass-Block | 63.4 | 64.8 | 67.1 |
Run-Block | 68.1 | 68.8 | 71.2 |
In addition to those grades, Biadasz has committed three or fewer penalties and hasn't given up more than three sacks in a season over the last three years. His strengths come in the run game, which is ideal for a Bears offense that wants to run the ball a ton.
Before joining the Commanders, Biadasz was a good starter for the Dallas Cowboys, notching a 2022 Pro Bowl nod.
That's a similar approach to Dalman, who moved people in the run game. The fact that the Bears are already bringing him in for a visit is massive and shows how they view him. Since he was released, Chicago could sign him ahead of free agency as well.
Spotrac projects that Biadasz will get a two-year, $20.2 million deal on the open market. That ranks fifth among free agent centers. The Bears understand how big a part the offensive line played in their success in 2025. They can't afford to make a significant downgrade at center, and Biadasz is someone who could stabilize the position for them.
The next few days will be interesting to watch, especially with the free agent tampering period starting on Monday. Needless to say, the Wisconsin product's release may have been a blessing for a Bears team that lost their starting center to retirement.