The Chicago Bears offensive line overhaul under new head coach Ben Johnson began last week with two major trades for offensive linemen Jonah Jackson and Joe Thuney. The rebuild continued on Monday at the start of the NFL’s free agency legal tampering period when the Bears agreed to a three-year, $42 million contract with center Drew Dalman, including $28 million guaranteed.
While Dalman’s signing was widely expected, it’s great to see it officially finalized. Interestingly, CBS’s Jonathan Jones reported that Dalman turned down more money from other teams because he specifically wanted to play in Chicago. The 26-year-old took less money due to his belief in head coach Ben Johnson and quaertback Caleb Williams. The Bears made Dalman the NFL’s second-highest-paid center, signaling his value to GM Ryan Poles long-term vision.
Dalman has been one of the league’s most consistent centers, ranking as the 4th-best center in the NFL last year according to Pro Football Focus.
Current Bears Offensive Line:
LT: Braxton Jones
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LG: Joe Thuney
C: Drew Dalman
RG: Jonah Jackson
RT: Darnell Wright
Bears Offseason Moves So Far:
- Hired the most sought-after head coach in the last 5–10 years
- Traded a 4th-round pick for an All-Pro left guard (Thuney)
- Acquired a versatile OL (Jackson) who can play guard or center (for a 6th-round pick)
- Signed the top center available in free agency
- Can now draft the best player available at No. 10
The Bears have come a long way at center — from Sam Mustipher to Coleman Shelton, and now to Drew Dalman. It’s about time they made a real investment at the position and the offensive line in general.
@Skee
Happy for Fields that HE got two more of Detroit’s coaches. Tanner Engstrand was Ben Johnson’s passing game coordinator (Matt LaFleur is currently trying to explain to Luke Getsy what a “forward pass” is).
Fields gets his buddy Garrett Wilson, but the Jets have a long way to go. Their offensive line, receiver corps, and offensive scheme was decimated between Nathaniel Hackett and his support system, Aaron Rodgers.
Ironic how three guys could wreck two complete organizations. Maybe LaFleur will bring back Hackett and Rodgers and complete wreck Green Bay from the inside.
@Skee @Veece
The biggest change is they have REAL coaches. They can get players and make them ALL better. They won’t be talking about “potential” for years. Either a player is coached lives up to, exceeds potential, or they don’t want to work, gets cut, traded, back benched. They can draft any player and figure out quickly if he was worth it, or they cut bait and run.
Dalman didn’t rise because he was stupid. He was hoping Atlanta was poised for success, but they had to deal with Cousins. Now Penix has to find a new SnapBuddy.
I’ve always said this: money is A factor to great players, but not THE factor. Two other factors are more important: who are your coaches, and is it possible to win. High draft picks often fail because the worst teams have no idea WHY the are the worst teams. They refused to hire organized, analytical, creative minds (usually because of ego), instead hiring cheap “yes man” lackeys, and then are stubborn (ego) about being wrong and stupid. ALL draft picks start at the bottom. They do what they are told, learn what they are told, try to execute the nonsense… Read more »
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