"Three days after Drew Dalman's surprising retirement, the Bears have their new center and didn't have 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."
"His 105 career starts provides stability to the Bears offensive line that lost 40% of its starters this offseason between Dalman's retirement and left tackle Ozzy Trapilo, who expected to miss most of the 2026 offseason while recovering from a knee injury."
"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 (5th most) and ran play-action on 32% of dropbacks."
The Chicago Bears traded a 2027 fifth-round pick to the New England Patriots to acquire center Garrett Bradbury, addressing the sudden departure of Drew Dalman who unexpectedly retired. Bradbury, a 2019 first-round pick, spent six seasons with the Minnesota Vikings before joining New England in 2025. He started all 17 regular-season games and four playoff games for the Patriots. The Bears will owe Bradbury $4.7 million in the final year of his contract. With 105 career starts, Bradbury provides veteran stability to an offensive line that lost 40% of its starters this offseason. The acquisition fits well with Bears coach Ben Johnson's offensive scheme, which emphasizes play-action and under-center formations similar to Bradbury's productive years in Minnesota's zone scheme.
Read at ESPN.com
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