Field Level Media
10 Mar 2025, 22:56 GMT+10
(Photo credit: Rich Barnes-Imagn Images)
New head coach Ben Johnson was dead serious about swapping out four or more offensive line starters before his first season with the Chicago Bears.
According to multiple reports, the Bears landed their top target at center within the first hour of the NFL negotiating window on Monday, hammering out a three-year, $42 million pact with Falcons free agent Drew Dalman.
The 26-year-old can officially sign with the Bears when the league year begins on Wednesday at 4 p.m. ET and would join a revamped interior that includes high-priced guards Joe Thuney and Jonah Jackson. Thuney and Jackson were acquired via trades and count a combined $33 million against the 2025 salary cap, barring renegotiated deals or contract extensions with Chicago.
Dalman's annual average salary of $14 million makes him the NFL's second-highest-paid center behind Thuney's former Chiefs teammate, Creed Humphrey.
Johnson, offensive coordinator of the Lions before he was hired by GM Ryan Poles in January, said his priority before the NFL draft was to improve blocking ahead of quarterback Caleb Williams. Williams was sacked 68 times as a rookie.
With the Falcons, Dalman allowed only two sacks in 2024 but missed a total of 11 games the past two seasons due to ankle injuries.
--Field Level Media
Get a daily dose of Chicago Chronicle news through our daily email, its complimentary and keeps you fully up to date with world and business news as well.
Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Chicago Chronicle.
More InformationWASHINGTON, D.C.: The U.S. Energy Department estimates it will take US$20 billion and several years to refill the Strategic Petroleum...
LONDON, U.K.: British Petroleum CEO Murray Auchincloss saw his pay package drop to 5.4 million pounds (US$6.95 million) in 2024, down...
BONN, Germany: DHL plans to cut 8,000 jobs in Germany this year, marking its most significant domestic workforce reduction in at least...
BEIJING, China: China has set an economic growth target of around five percent for 2025, signaling efforts to stabilize the economy...
WASHINGTON, D.C.: Elon Musk's company SpaceX said this week that its Starlink satellite unit is not trying to take over any Federal...
SACRAMENTO, California: Starting July 1, California state employees will be required to work in person at least four days a week under...
WASHINGTON, D.C.: The U.S. Energy Department estimates it will take US$20 billion and several years to refill the Strategic Petroleum...
NEW YORK CITY, New York: The company that makes Reynolds Wrap aluminum foil is facing a lawsuit for allegedly misleading consumers...
(Photo credit: Rich Barnes-Imagn Images) New head coach Ben Johnson was dead serious about swapping out four or more offensive line...
(Photo credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images) The Los Angeles Chargers are bringing back edge rusher Khalil Mack with a one-year...
Air India flight was diverted back to Mumbai after a note was found in the aircraft's toilet ...
(Photo credit: Madeleine Mertens-Imagn Images) The Atlanta Hawks will try to keep their playoff push going forward when they host...