Ryan Poles makes another trade acquisition ahead of free agency to add a veteran player to the Bears’ offensive line
The Chicago Bears have acquired their new starting center.
Nearly one year to the date that Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Poles made a splash to acquire left guard Joe Thuney, the Bears are making another trade to bring a veteran offensive linemen to Chicago at a major position of need.
The Bears have traded a 2027 fifth-round pick to the New England Patriots in exchange for starting center Garrett Bradbury. Chicago was in the market for a starting center following the sudden retirement of Drew Dalman earlier this week.
Instead of getting into a bidding war with multiple teams for a top free agent next week, the Bears stuck quick on an experience starter at a discounted price that now has Super Bowl experience.
Addressing the center position gives the Bears a green light going into free agency
The Bears were one of the teams expected to heavily pursue Tyler Linderbaum when free agency opens next week but instead found a way to acquire a 30-year-old center to fill the glaring need on the offensive line. The best part, Bradbury was playing on a two year, $9.5 million contract he signed with the Patriots last offseason that had no guaranteed salary remaining. He is only owed $4.7 million for 2026.
Fittingly, Bradbury was college teammates at NC State with Thuney, who was named as a first-team All Pro and the first ever Protector of the Year in his first season with the Bears. Chicago is hoping for similar results with Bradbury lining up next to Thuney.
Chicago spent the week freeing up significant amount of cap space following Dalman’s retirement, the trade of DJ Moore and the release of Tremaine Edmunds. By filling this need ahead of free agency at a low price, the Bears can now use that space to address other needs on the roster.
First up is working on a deal to bring back All-Pro safety Kevin Byard III followed by finding a starting replacement for Edmunds at linebacker. Not to mention swinging big on a impact pass rusher. All options are on the table next week for Chicago.
If it pans out, this could be another massive win for Poles as a low-risk, high-reward addition.
Chicago Bears News
Tiering realistic free agent wide receiver options for the Bears to fill the obvious offensive need after trading away DJ Moore
The Chicago Bears could be in the market for a wide receiver addition after trading DJ Moore.
