Chicago Bears Secure New Starting Center, Drew Dalman, for 2025 Season
In a major move to strengthen their offensive line, the Chicago Bears secured their new starting center for the 2025 season on the first day of the NFL’s legal tampering period. According to Dianna Russini of The Athletic, the Bears have reached an agreement with former Atlanta Falcons center Drew Dalman on a three-year, $42 million deal. This signing marks the latest step in the Bears’ ongoing effort to rebuild their interior offensive line, which has been a priority throughout the offseason
Dalman, 26, brings experience and stability to the center position, which has been a key area of focus for the Bears as they look to improve their offensive line. The three-year deal signals the team’s commitment to upgrading its protection for quarterback Justin Fields, giving him better opportunities to succeed in 2025. Dalman, who started for the Falcons over the past few seasons, will now be tasked with anchoring a revamped offensive line for Chicago.
Meanwhile, the player Dalman will replace, Coleman Shelton, is heading back to his original team on the West Coast. Shelton, who started all 17 games for the Bears at center in 2024, has agreed to terms with the Los Angeles Rams on a two-year deal. The financial details of Shelton’s new contract have not yet been disclosed.
Shelton’s tenure with the Bears was marked by a mixed performance. While he allowed just three sacks on 783 pass-blocking snaps, he struggled with inconsistency, which was a common issue for the entire Bears offensive line. Nonetheless, Shelton earned a top-20 overall grade from Pro Football Focus (PFF) among 64 eligible centers, showing he could handle the job despite the line’s overall struggles.
Prior to his time with the Bears, Shelton had spent the majority of his career with the Rams, where he developed from a backup into a starting center. With the Rams, he started all games in 2023 and will now compete with Beaux Limmer, a 2024 sixth-round pick, for the starting center position in Los Angeles.
The Bears are now set to have two centers on their roster for 2025, as Dalman’s signing will be made official when the new league year begins on March 12. Along with Dalman, the team also has Ricky Stromberg, a 2023 third-round pick, who they signed to the practice squad last November and retained on a futures deal in January.
As the Bears continue their offensive line overhaul, the addition of Dalman is a step toward giving Justin Fields the protection and stability needed for the upcoming season. With Shelton’s departure, Dalman will have the chance to prove he can be a reliable anchor in the middle of the line, helping to pave the way for a more potent Bears offense in 2025.