TheChicago Bearsdid not waste any time in finding a new anchor for their offensive line.
On the same day theBearstransferred center Drew Dalman to thereserve/retired list, they agreed to terms with theNew England Patriotson a trade to acquire centerGarrett Bradbury. In return, thePatriotswill receive a fifth-round pick in the 2027 NFL Draft.
The trade cannot be officially processed until the new league year begins on March 11.
NFL Media'sIan Rapoportwas the first to report news of the trade. ESPN'sAdam Schefterwas first with the report of compensation.
Bradbury will reunite with North Carolina State teammate Joe Thuney on the Bears' offensive line.
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2. New York Jets – OLB/DE David Bailey, Texas Tech" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
3. Arizona Cardinals – OLB/DE Arvell Reese, Ohio State" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
4. Tennessee Titans – RB Jeremiyah Love, Notre Dame" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
5. New York Giants – LB Sonny Styles, Ohio State" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
6. Cleveland Browns – OL Francis Mauigoa, Miami (Fla.)" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
7. Washington Commanders – S Caleb Downs, Ohio State" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
8. New Orleans Saints – WR Carnell Tate, Ohio State" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
9. Kansas City Chiefs – CB Mansoor Delane, LSU" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
10. Cincinnati Bengals – DE Rueben Bain Jr., Miami (Fla.)" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
11. Miami Dolphins – OT Spencer Fano, Utah" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
12. Dallas Cowboys – CB Jermod McCoy, Tennessee" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
13. Los Angeles Rams (from Atlanta Falcons) – WR Denzel Boston, Washington" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
14. Baltimore Ravens – DL Caleb Banks, Florida" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – TE Kenyon Sadiq, Oregon" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
16. New York Jets (from Indianapolis Colts) – WR Makai Lemon, USC" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
17. Detroit Lions – OT Monroe Freeling, Georgia" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
18. Minnesota Vikings – S Dillon Thieneman, Oregon" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
19. Carolina Panthers – DT Peter Woods, Clemson" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
20. Dallas Cowboys (from Green Bay Packers) – OLB/DE T.J. Parker, Clemson" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
21. Pittsburgh Steelers – WR Jordyn Tyson, Arizona State" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
22. Los Angeles Chargers – G Olaivavega Ioane, Penn State" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
23. Philadelphia Eagles – DE/OLB Akheem Mesidor, Miami (Fla.)" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
24. Cleveland Browns (from Jacksonville Jaguars) – WR Omar Cooper Jr., Indiana" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
25. Chicago Bears – S Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, Toledo" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
30. Denver Broncos – WR KC Concepcion, Texas A&M" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
31. New England Patriots – DE Keldric Faulk, Auburn" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
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Dalman informed the Bears on March 3 that he intended to retire at 27 years old. In his one year with Chicago, Dalman started all 17 games and earned his first career Pro Bowl nod.
Bradbury, 30, lands with his third team in three years – as well as the third of his career. The former first-round pick with theMinnesota Vikingsin the 2019 NFL Draft signed a two-year deal with the Patriots last year in free agency, following a six-year stint in Minnesota. After starting all 17 games for New England in 2025 – plus all four postseason games, including Super Bowl 60 – Bradbury will play out the second and final year of his deal in the Windy City.
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New England will head into free agency next week with second-year offensive lineman Jared Wilson as its presumptive starter at center. Wilson exclusively played left guard in all 13 starts he made as a rookie in 2025, but he was the starting center at Georgia in 2024.
Garrett Bradbury trade details
Full trade compensation has been determined, according to ESPN. Here's what each team receives in the trade:
Bears receive:
C Garrett Bradbury
Patriots receive:
2027 fifth-round pick
BEARS NEWS:Pro Bowl center Drew Dalman retiring at age 27, per reports
Garrett Bradbury contract
Length: Two years
Value: $9.5 million
AAV: $4.75 million
According to Spotrac, Bradbury's two-year deal, which he signed with the Patriots last offseason, is worth $9.5 million total. Of that money, $3.8 million was guaranteed in the form of a signing bonus and Bradbury's 2025 salary.
New England will save $5.7 million against the cap by trading Bradbury while eating $1.2 million in dead cap, according to OverTheCap. Chicago will take on the $5.7 million cap hit from Bradbury's contract in 2026.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Garrett Bradbury trade lands Bears new center, Patriots get draft pick
