00:00Bears fans, let's talk about something absolutely crucial, protecting Caleb Williams.
00:07Last season, our guy got sacked 68 times. That's not just bad, that's historically bad. It tied
00:15for the third most in NFL history. And when your franchise quarterback is getting hit that often,
00:20you've got a major problem on your hands. A young QB can only develop if he has time to read
00:26defenses, make decisions, and execute plays. Constant pressure leads to bad habits, rushed
00:32throws, and worst of all, injuries. But it wasn't just the passing game that suffered. Our run game?
00:38Bottom fourth in the league, averaging just 102 yards per game. That's not the Chicago Bears
00:45identity we know and love. This franchise is built on tough, physical football. We dominate
00:49in the trenches, control the clock, and wear down defenses. But last year, the offensive line simply
00:56wasn't good enough. If we want to be competitive, this has to change. And the good news? The Bears
01:01have the money to fix it. With nearly 80 million dollars in cap space, Chicago has a golden
01:07opportunity to rebuild the offensive line and finally give Caleb Williams the protection he
01:12needs. And one name keeps coming up. Drew Dallman, the free agent center from the Atlanta Falcons,
01:17could be the perfect fit for the Bears. But is he worth the price tag? Let's break it down.
01:22Now, let's be honest. Drew Dallman isn't a household name. He's not Jason Kelsey. He's
01:27not Frank Ragnow. But that doesn't mean he isn't elite. Last season, Dallman posted a 95.1%
01:34pass block win rate, ranking among the top 10 centers in the league. That's the kind of anchor
01:40Chicago desperately needs. If you want a reliable, smart, and technically sound center who can hold
01:46up against interior pass rushers and clear lanes in the run game, Dallman is the guy.
01:51At 6'3 and 300 pounds, Dallman isn't the biggest center in the NFL. But what he lacks in size,
01:58he makes up for with elite technique and movement skills. He's quick off the snap,
02:03rarely gets out of position, and has the intelligence to recognize blitzes before
02:07they even happen. He's an ideal fit for a zone-blocking scheme, which is exactly what
02:12the Bears are expected to run under their new offensive system. A smart athletic center who
02:18can move laterally, reach the second level, and execute combo blocks? That's exactly what this
02:23offense needs. And here's the best part. Dallman is consistent. Over the past two seasons, he's
02:29been one of the most reliable centers in football. No more guessing if your center is going to hold
02:34up in pass protection. No more watching interior linemen get pushed back into the quarterback's
02:39lap. Dallman brings stability, and that's something Chicago has been missing for years.
02:45Let's talk about what makes Dallman such an appealing target. Centers don't always get the
02:50credit they deserve, but they are crucial to an offense. They handle snapping the ball,
02:54setting up protections, and ensuring that the entire offensive line is in sync. A good center
03:00can make an entire offensive line better, while a bad center can cause a chain reaction of problems.
03:05That's why Dallman's consistency and intelligence make him such a valuable asset.
03:10One thing that stands out about Dallman is his football IQ. He comes from a football family.
03:16His father, Chris Dallman, played for the San Francisco 49ers and won a Super Bowl.
03:21That pedigree shows in his game. He has an advanced understanding of defensive fronts
03:26and knows how to adjust protections to give his quarterback the best chance to succeed.
03:32When you're protecting a rookie quarterback, having a center who can read defenses,
03:36call out adjustments, and keep the line organized is invaluable. Another strength?
03:41His mobility. Dallman is one of the better centers in the NFL when it comes to getting
03:45out in space. He excels at getting to the second level and sealing off linebackers,
03:51which is exactly what you need in a zone-blocking scheme. The Bears struggled to create running
03:56lanes last season, and Dallman could be a big part of fixing that. A strong run game
04:01takes pressure off the quarterback, opens up play action, and keeps the defense honest.
04:06Dallman's ability to execute blocks in space could be a game-changer.
04:10But let's talk money. Because nothing comes cheap in the NFL, and Dallman is projected to get a
04:16four-year, $45 million contract, that would make him one of the highest-paid centers in the league.
04:22The question is, should the Bears pay up? For a team like the Bears, the answer might be yes.
04:29A center isn't just another lineman. He's the leader of the offensive line. He calls protections,
04:34diagnoses defensive schemes, and keeps the unit in sync. And when you've got a young quarterback
04:40like Caleb Williams, having a smart and reliable center is a game-changer. But let's take it one
04:47step further, because if the Bears are serious about fixing the offensive line, they can't stop
04:53at just one player. Another name that keeps coming up, Trey Smith. Trey Smith has been a
04:59force on the Kansas City Chiefs offensive line, helping protect Patrick Mahomes on the way to
05:04multiple deep playoff runs. At 6'6 and 330 pounds, Smith is a powerhouse. He's dominant in the run
05:12game and rock-solid in pass protection. If the Bears land both Dallman and Smith, they could
05:17transform the interior of their offensive line overnight. And there's a connection here, Ryan
05:23Poles. The Bears' GM was in Kansas City when the Chiefs drafted Trey Smith. He knows exactly what
05:28Smith brings to the table, and after four years of proving himself, Smith is about to get paid.
05:34The question is, can the Bears afford both Dallman and Smith? With $79,700,000 in cap space,
05:43they have the flexibility to spend big. But they can't put all their money into the offensive line.
05:49Other positions need help too. So what's the plan? Signing Drew Dallman would likely cost
05:55around $11 million per year, and adding Trey Smith could push that total to $25 million per year or
06:01more. That's a big chunk of cap space, but it would completely solidify the interior O-line,
06:08giving Caleb Williams a clean pocket and opening up the run game.
06:12But let's not forget about weapons. D.J. Moore is a true 1-W-R-1, but the Bears could use another
06:18dynamic pass catcher. With free agents like T. Higgins and Mike Evans on the market,
06:22should Chicago invest in another playmaker, or is the offensive line the top priority?
06:28This is the big debate. Protect Caleb Williams, or give him more firepower?
06:34At the end of the day, the answer is pretty clear. Protect your quarterback first.
06:39The Bears have an opportunity to turn their offensive line from a weakness into a strength.
06:44If they land both Drew Dallman and Trey Smith, this offense could take a huge step forward.
06:51But here's the kicker. The Bears have to make sure they don't neglect other needs. Yes,
06:56the O-line is priority number one, but they also need to give Caleb more weapons. Whether
07:02it's a deep threat receiver like T. Higgins, or a reliable number two option, the Bears need
07:07to find ways to make life easier for their young quarterback. So what do you think, Bears fans?
07:13Should Chicago throw down the money for Dallman and Smith, or should they spread the wealth across
07:17multiple positions? Drop your thoughts in the comments. Let's talk about it. And as always,
07:22Bear Down!
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