Field Level Media - Professional sports content solutions | FLM

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