Chicago Bears 2026 Roster Turnover: They Finally Took Center Seriously!

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - February 1: Drew Dalman #52 of the Chicago Bears participates in the 2026 Pro Bowl Skills Challenge during the NFL Pro Bowl Games at Moscone Center South on February 1, 2026 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Kara Durrette/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The Chicago Bears finally addressed the center position last offseason, and they were rewarded with a representative being chosen for the Pro Bowl. However, the Bears will have some work to do at the position, as they need to determine who will be backing up.

Here are the Bears’ two current centers.

Drew Dalman – Signed through 2027 – The 27-year-old Dalman, who was also the only Bears player to play every snap on offense, made his first Pro Bowl in his first year as a Bear, and he also finished fourth in All-Pro voting at center, picking up the third most first-place votes (3).

Back in December, quarterback Caleb Williams heaped praise on his offensive line, saying he collectively calls them The Avengers, and Dalman is The Hulk.

“He’s the brains and all of it, but when he gets out there on the field, he’s strong as can be, fast, and the right guy for the job for us and my future, and our future here,” Williams said. “So I’m excited for that, and I’m happy that he’s here with us and with me, and we’re going to keep growing together, and we’re going to keep finding ways to help each other out in this tenure that we have together.”

Ryan Bates – Free agent – Bates’ versatility may have been valuable enough for him to stick around last season, but as 2025 wore on, he was clearly only an option as a backup center. Rookie Luke Newman and Jordan McFadden both played guard over Bates, as Bates only saw 82 snaps on special teams.

2026 OUTLOOK – The Bears will need to find a backup if they don’t bring Bates back, but if Ben Johnson was content with Bates backing up Dalman last year, then I see no reason they wouldn’t make him an offer. He just turned 28, and if he’s over the injury issues that plagued him in 2024 — he was healthy all last season — then re-sign him.

Former Bear and Orland Park, Illinois native Dan Feeney is a free agent and should be relatively inexpensive if Bates isn’t an option.

They may draft a guy with center/guard versatility on day three, but Newman received some center reps in the offseason, and that may continue this year.

Who do you think the Bears will bring in to back up Dalman?