Bears’ $42 million Pro Bowler to retire at 27: report

A Pro Bowl center is reportedly ending his NFL career after five seasons at age 27.

Drew Dalman, who signed a three-year, $42 million contract with the Chicago Bears in March 2025, is hanging up his cleats according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.

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Last year, the offensive line helped the Bears win the NFC North title by ranking No. 1 in pass block win rate (74%) and fifth in run block win rate (74%).

As a rookie in 2024, Bears quarterback Caleb Williams was sacked a league-high 68 times. During his second season, that number dropped to 24 sacks.

Dalman started all 17 games and earned his first Pro Bowl selection after the season.

ESPN sources: Bears Pro Bowl center Drew Dalman has informed the team that he is retiring from the NFL at age 27. Dalman left Stanford in 2021, and after four seasons in Atlanta and one in Chicago, he has made the sudden and surprising decision to retire. pic.twitter.com/SKJcXa1res
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 3, 2026

A fourth-round pick by the Falcons in the 2021 NFL Draft, Dalman played four seasons in Atlanta (2021-24).

“Drew’s dad was a player and a coach. He’s seen first-hand life after football and the effects the game can have. If anyone is going to make an informed decision on when it’s time to hang ‘em up, it’s Drew,” Fox Sports’ Carmen Vitali wrote Tuesday on X.

Drew’s dad was a player and a coach. He’s seen first-hand life after football and the effects the game can have. If anyone is going to make an informed decision on when it’s time to hang ‘em up, it’s Drew.

Happy for him. Sad for the Bears. https://t.co/piwxZJIyu1
— Carmen Vitali (@CarmieV) March 3, 2026