00:00After years of inconsistency, instability, and frustration, the Bears are poised for a major
00:05transformation, with one specific position standing out as critical to their future success,
00:11the center position. And this offseason, the name that is on every Bears fan's radar is Drew Dallman,
00:17the 26-year-old center from the Atlanta Falcons. If you've been following the Bears' rebuilding
00:24efforts under general manager Ryan Poles, you know that they've made significant moves over
00:29the past year to fix their offensive line. In 2024, they traded for All-Pro guard Joe Thune
00:35and signed Jonah Jackson, a veteran who has worked in a similar offensive system in Detroit.
00:41These moves have helped solidify some key areas, but there's still one glaring hole left on the
00:47offensive line. So that's where Drew Dallman comes in, and it's not hard to see why the
00:51Bears are being linked to him as one of the top suitors in the 2025 free agency class.
00:57Drew Dallman is not your average free agent target. At just 26 years old, Dallman has already
01:03established himself as one of the league's top centers. After being drafted by the Falcons in
01:08the fourth round of the 2021 NFL Draft, Dallman didn't take long to make an impact. He earned a
01:14starting role in 2022 and has been a fixture in the Falcons lineup ever since. His ascent from
01:21a relatively unknown rookie to a standout center has been impressive, and the numbers don't lie.
01:28In 2024, Dallman started in nine games for the Falcons and finished the season with a
01:33pro football focus grade that ranked him as the fourth best center in the NFL.
01:38That's no small feat in a league that boasts a number of talented interior linemen.
01:42Dallman's ability to protect the quarterback, open running lanes, and anchor the offensive line
01:47has made him a key figure in Atlanta's offense. His blend of youth, talent, and potential is exactly
01:55what the Bears need as they continue their search for stability in the middle of their offensive
02:00line. But what exactly makes Dallman such an attractive target for the Bears? It's simple. He's
02:06young, he's already proven his ability to perform at a high level, and he's still growing as a player.
02:12The center position is crucial to any offensive line, and it's one that the Bears have struggled
02:16to get right for years. Dallman would bring immediate stability to the position and could
02:22anchor the offensive line for the next decade. For the Bears, landing a player like Dallman could be
02:27the missing piece that finally brings consistency to a position that has been a thorn in their side
02:33for far too long. When you look at the Bears' offensive line over the past several seasons,
02:38it's easy to see why securing a top-tier center is such a priority. While the Bears have had some
02:44solid individual performers, the line as a whole has been inconsistent. Braxton Jones,
02:50the second-year left tackle, has shown flashes of potential but has been far from a finished product.
02:56Darnell Wright, who had a strong rookie campaign at right tackle, has the potential to develop into
03:01one of the league's top young tackles. But the Bears still have a long way to go in terms of
03:05overall line stability. The interior of the line has been even more problematic. At left guard,
03:12Cody Whitehair has been serviceable but has dealt with injuries in recent years and his
03:16age is starting to catch up with him. At right guard, the Bears have had a revolving door of
03:22players, with Jonah Jackson being brought in to add some much-needed stability. However,
03:27the center position remains the biggest issue. Since the departure of longtime center Olin
03:34Krutz, who anchored the Bears' offensive line for years, the Bears have struggled to find a
03:38reliable center. They've had a series of short-term solutions that have ultimately failed
03:43to provide consistent play at the position. With a young quarterback like Justin Fields or
03:48potentially a rookie like Caleb Williams, the Bears need a player who can provide not just stability
03:54but leadership on the offensive line. That's where Dallman comes in. Dallman has shown the ability
04:00to perform at a high level in a fast-paced competitive environment. His technical skills,
04:05ability to read defensive alignments, and communication with the quarterback
04:09make him a perfect fit for a Bears team that is looking to build for the future.
04:13He has the potential to be the centerpiece of the offensive line for years to come,
04:17allowing the Bears to focus their resources on other positions while knowing that the center
04:22spot is locked down. The competition for Dallman's services will be fierce, make no mistake about it.
04:29As one of the top free agent centers available in 2025, Dallman will likely have several suitors
04:35lining up to make him an offer, but the Bears have a few key factors working in their favor
04:41that could make them a serious contender for his services. First, let's talk about the Bears'
04:46cap space. According to recent reports, the Bears have the sixth highest cap space in the entire
04:52league heading into free agency. This gives them the financial flexibility to make a strong push
04:57for Dallman without having to sacrifice other key pieces. If the Bears are willing to offer
05:02Dallman a contract worth around $56 million over four years, which is what experts project,
05:08it's well within their means to do so. Second, the Bears are in a position to be a major player
05:13in the NFC moving forward. They have a young quarterback in Justin Fields who has shown the
05:18ability to be a dynamic playmaker, but he needs protection. They also have a solid foundation
05:23with young players like Darnell Wright and Braxton Jones who could form the core of the
05:28offensive line for years to come. Dallman would be an excellent fit in this system,
05:33and joining a team on the rise could be a very appealing prospect for him. With a solid offensive
05:38line in place, Fields would have the time to develop into the quarterback many believe he can
05:42be, and Dallman would be at the heart of that transformation. Third, Dallman is a player who
05:47has already proven himself in the NFL. He's young, he's talented, and he's only getting better.
05:52The Bears are looking for long-term solutions, not just short-term fixes, and while centers like
05:57Ryan Kelly from the Indianapolis Colts or Evan Brown from the Arizona Cardinals could also be
06:03potential targets, Dallman offers the combination of youth, talent, and upside that the Bears are
06:08looking for. He could be the foundation of the offensive line for the next decade. So why is the
06:13center position so important for the Bears? Well, the center is the quarterback of the offensive
06:18line. In addition to his blocking responsibilities, the center is responsible for making line calls,
06:25identifying defensive schemes, and making sure that everyone on the offensive line is on the
06:29same page. A reliable center helps keep the entire offensive line organized and efficient.
06:36For the Bears, a player like Dallman could be the difference between a productive offense
06:40and a struggling one. With a young quarterback like Justin Fields or potentially a rookie like
06:44Caleb Williams, the center will play a crucial role in providing the time and protection needed
06:49for the quarterback to develop and thrive. If the Bears want to compete in the NFC, they need to
06:55ensure that the quarterback position is stable and that the offensive line can provide consistent play.
07:00Dallman's ability to communicate and make adjustments at the line of scrimmage would
07:04make him an invaluable asset for the Bears. His technical skills and ability to diagnose defenses
07:10quickly would allow the Bears offense to run more efficiently and effectively, and with a strong
07:15offensive line in place, the Bears would be able to run the ball more effectively, setting up the
07:20play-action pass and giving their quarterbacks the time and space they need to make plays.
07:26As we get closer to the official start of free agency on March 10th, all eyes will be on Drew
07:31Dallman. The Bears are reportedly one of the serious suitors for Dallman's services, and if
07:36they're able to secure his commitment, it would be a major win for the franchise. Not only would
07:41they be getting a young, talented center who can anchor the line for years to come, but they'd also
07:46be sending a message to the rest of the league that the Bears are serious about building a championship
07:51contending team. With Dallman in the fold, the Bears could turn their attention to other areas
07:57of need. The draft is just around the corner, and with the 10th overall pick and two more selections
08:02in the top 50, the Bears are in a prime position to add more talent to their roster. But landing
08:08Dallman would be the first major step in solidifying the offensive line and setting up the
08:12offense for success. This is the moment for the Chicago Bears to take the next step in their
08:17rebuilding process. Drew Dallman could be the key to unlocking the potential of their offense, and
08:22if they're able to secure him in free agency, the future will be looking brighter than ever. Stay
08:28tuned because the 2025 offseason is shaping up to be one to remember for the Chicago Bears. With
08:34Dallman at the center of the offensive line, this could be the year the Bears finally put it all together.
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