The Bears found a new starting center, acquiring Garrett Bradbury from the Patriots in exchange for a 2027 fifth-round pick, a source told ESPN.
Published 3 months ago on Mar 8th 2026, 5:00 pm
By Web Desk
A busy week ahead of free agency continues for the Chicago Bears.
On Friday, the Bears agreed in principle to send a 2027 fifth-round pick to the New England Patriots for center Garrett Bradbury, a source told ESPN. The trade cannot be processed until the new league year begins Wednesday.
Three days after Drew Dalman's surprising retirement, the Bears have their new center and didn't need to break the bank to fill that void.
Bradbury, a 2019 first-round pick, spent the first six years of his career with the Minnesota Vikings before signing a two-year deal worth up to $12 million with New England in March 2025. The Bears will owe Bradbury $4.7 million on the final year of his contract.
He started all 17 regular-season games and all four playoff games in his lone season in New England. His veteran presence helped stabilize the offensive line, which started rookies in left tackle Will Campbell and left guard Jared Wilson.
Bradbury's 105 career starts provides stability to the Bears' offensive line, which lost 40% of its starters this offseason between Dalman's retirement and left tackle Ozzy Trapilo being expected to miss most of the offseason while recovering from a knee injury.
Dalman was placed on the reserve/retired list Friday while the Bears officially terminated the contract of linebacker Tremaine Edmunds, who was released Thursday. Along with wide receiver DJ Moore being traded to the Buffalo Bills, Chicago has created $44 million in cap space since Tuesday.
Bradbury's most productive seasons in the NFL came during his early years in Minnesota in the Vikings' zone scheme offense that featured a heavy dose of play-action and misdirection. Under Bears coach Ben Johnson, the Bears went under center 49% of the time in 2025 (fifth most) and ran play-action on 32% of dropbacks. Chicago boasted the sixth-highest explosive play rate (15.0%) in the NFL.
As for New England, Wilson, a 2025 third-round pick, is Bradbury's likely replacement. Wilson played center at Georgia but moved to left guard as part of the team's approach of playing its best five linemen regardless of position.
ESPN's Mike Reiss contributed to this report.
On Friday, the Bears agreed in principle to send a 2027 fifth-round pick to the New England Patriots for center Garrett Bradbury, a source told ESPN. The trade cannot be processed until the new league year begins Wednesday.
Three days after Drew Dalman's surprising retirement, the Bears have their new center and didn't need to break the bank to fill that void.
Bradbury, a 2019 first-round pick, spent the first six years of his career with the Minnesota Vikings before signing a two-year deal worth up to $12 million with New England in March 2025. The Bears will owe Bradbury $4.7 million on the final year of his contract.
He started all 17 regular-season games and all four playoff games in his lone season in New England. His veteran presence helped stabilize the offensive line, which started rookies in left tackle Will Campbell and left guard Jared Wilson.
Bradbury's 105 career starts provides stability to the Bears' offensive line, which lost 40% of its starters this offseason between Dalman's retirement and left tackle Ozzy Trapilo being expected to miss most of the offseason while recovering from a knee injury.
Dalman was placed on the reserve/retired list Friday while the Bears officially terminated the contract of linebacker Tremaine Edmunds, who was released Thursday. Along with wide receiver DJ Moore being traded to the Buffalo Bills, Chicago has created $44 million in cap space since Tuesday.
Bradbury's most productive seasons in the NFL came during his early years in Minnesota in the Vikings' zone scheme offense that featured a heavy dose of play-action and misdirection. Under Bears coach Ben Johnson, the Bears went under center 49% of the time in 2025 (fifth most) and ran play-action on 32% of dropbacks. Chicago boasted the sixth-highest explosive play rate (15.0%) in the NFL.
As for New England, Wilson, a 2025 third-round pick, is Bradbury's likely replacement. Wilson played center at Georgia but moved to left guard as part of the team's approach of playing its best five linemen regardless of position.
ESPN's Mike Reiss contributed to this report.
Security Forces conduct major operation along Afghan border, eliminate 26 Indian backed terrorists
- 13 hours ago
The World Cup has a Trump problem
- 20 hours ago
We don’t know how the Ebola outbreak started. That’s a problem.
- 20 hours ago
Trump considers targeting Iran’s bridges and power plants, US media reports
- 9 hours ago
Commander of Bahrain National Guard meets Field Marshal, Air Chief and Naval Chief; agreement reached to enhance defence cooperation
- a day ago
PM Meets high-level Delegation of the Global Fund; discussions held on public health and other matters
- a day ago
Balochistan:security forces eliminate 14 Indian backed Khawarij terrorists in successful operation
- a day ago
Federal Government decides to continue budget session without interruption until approval
- 6 hours ago
Creating jobs, boosting exports and economic growth Is our collective responsibility, Says PM Shehbaz
- 6 hours ago
What just happened in California?
- 11 hours ago
.jpg&w=3840&q=75)
Pakistan Army Mi-17 helicopter crashes near zuzaffarabad, all onboard personnel martyred
- 11 hours ago
Senate and NA Sessions Summoned for Tomorrow, Federal Budget Likely to be presented on June 12
- a day ago
You May Like
Trending
