The Chicago Bears have signed former Atlanta Falcons center Drew Dalman to a three-year, $42 million contract, with $28 million guaranteed. This makes Dalman the NFL’s second-highest-paid center, behind only Creed Humphrey of the Chiefs. The Bears decision marks a shift from relying on stopgaps like Sam Mustipher, Ryan Bates, and Coleman Shelton to securing a long-term solution.
Dalman, 26, is entering his prime and brings valuable leadership to the Bears offensive line. In 2024, he posted a 78.8 Pro Football Focus grade, ranking fifth among centers.
Since being drafted in the fourth round in 2021, he has maintained PFF grades above 65.0 each season as a starter. While PFF projected a four-year, $56 million deal with $30 million guaranteed, Dalman reportedly took less to join the Bears, showing confidence in the team’s vision.
Grading The Move
While it’s too early to grade the move fully, Dalman’s contract, production, and upside make this an A-level signing. It’s reminiscent of the Bears hiring of head coach Ben Johnson—a great acquisition of a top-tier talent. Though Dalman may not have Johnson’s long-established hype, he was a prime target for multiple teams, and the Bears secured him at less than market value. This move continues to show how strong of an offseason Ryan Poles and Ben Johnson are having.
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Final Grade: A
The Grade is A. And to Citizen34…under sized? He’s listed at 305. Have you seen how quick is is at that weight? Sally says ….well who cares. Sally has never been to a Bears game. He doesn’t even know football….in England they call soccer football. But it’s played with a soccer ball….not a football.
BearDownTx, I had never heard that stat about the 50 avoided sacks by Caleb. I saw what appeared to be so many times he was getting guys in his face before anything could develop and poor Swift was getting about negative 1 yard prior to first hit. All the talk-show morons were always talking about how many of the sacks were on Caleb not getting the ball out fast enough, but the OC had no quick-hitting slants and the O-line coach should not have been coaching a HS team!!
I supported Dalman’s signing at the earliest stages. There were not many good or realistic alternatives. Grade = B+. Poles’ center grade over three 3 3 3 years = D.
Never heard of him.
Erik, who do you think the Bears will target when your legal tampering period opens up on the 13th?
No problem at all with this move. He’s 26 entering his prime years they got him 4 less than they were supposed to have paid him and he seems to have bought into the system. Others complained about grades. This is just grading on the signing, not on what he does during the year.
If I’m grading the signing well then , it’s definitely an A.
Cause, this is what they needed.