The Chicago Bears got stunning news Tuesday — just eight days before the start of free agency and the new league year — with reports that Pro Bowl center Drew Dalman has decided to retire at age 27.
Brad Biggs addresses the Dalman situation as well as DJ Moore’s status, Maxx Crosby trade possibilities and much more in this week’s Bears mailbag.
What are the odds DJ Moore gets traded at this point? My guess is like 80/20 in favor of trading him. — @oltmannsean
That’s a good question. It’s a little tough to read right now, but my lean would be something in that range. Maybe more like 65/35? I say that because the Bears have been very open about the possibility of dealing him, and when that happens, the player often winds up moving on. If the Bears felt strongly that Moore would be on their roster this coming season, their comments would have carried a different substance and tone.
“I have to have conversations to see what the best combination of players we can bring in (is),” general manager Ryan Poles said last week at the NFL scouting combine. “We want him here. We think highly of him. He’s a great teammate. He has been productive pretty consistently over the last (three) years he’s been here. So I have nothing but great things to say about him.
“But this is the time where we have to look at all the different scenarios to see what can allow us to put the best team out there. And I’ve talked about this before. There are relationships there. There’s a lot there that makes it really, really difficult. He’s a guy we want here. But we have to look at all the different scenarios.”
I don’t think Poles gets enough credit for being as transparent as possible most of the time. Ask a direct question, generally you get a direct response. That’s not always the case because he’s mindful of treating his players with respect, but I can tell you that a lot of other GMs around the league serve up much more word salad when responding to questions than Poles.
Poles and coach Ben Johnson were being authentic, too, when they talked about their affinity for Moore and what he brings on the field and in the locker room. He’s a team-first guy who doesn’t bring attention to himself. He backed Justin Fields to the very end, even though it was apparent the quarterback did not have a future with the organization.
If the Bears trade Moore, it’s because they have a clear plan for how to earmark the $16.5 million cap savings. It’s not addition by subtraction; it’s trading Moore to add Player A or Players A and B at other positions. So there are a lot of moving parts, and it’s this part of the equation that we’d only be guessing about.
A group of personnel men whom I chatted with in Indianapolis thought Moore’s contract would make it challenging for the Bears to find a trade partner. Others believed he would have decent value on the trade market. Just know there was a wide spectrum of opinions on this.
I’d remind you that whether you’re 80/20, 65/35 or somewhere else on the Moore situation, there’s certainly a scenario in which he’s on the roster in the 2026 season.
If you’re Ryan Poles, are you trying to package both Tremaine Edmunds and DJ Moore to Las Vegas with a pick to get Maxx Crosby? Or are you gonna trade them separately? — @kaihayes44
Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby smiles and waves to fans during a game against the Patriots on Sept. 7, 2025, at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass. (Winslow Townson/AP Images for Panini)
Sure, that makes a world of sense from the Bears’ perspective. The best intel I can provide you right now is either the Bears are among a small group of teams exploring the possibility of a trade for Crosby, or someone (the Raiders?) is doing a good job of convincing people they are.
Let’s flip it around and examine this from the Raiders’ perspective. Fox Sports’ Jay Glazer reported a month ago that he expects Crosby to be dealt and indicated Las Vegas would aim for a huge return, loosely referencing the two first-round picks and defensive tackle Kenny Clark that the Dallas Cowboys received from the Green Bay Packers in exchange for Micah Parsons.
Glazer has a pretty damn good batting average. We all can agree on that. If the Raiders are motivated to trade Crosby in a rebuilding effort with new coach Klint Kubiak, how do Moore, who turns 29 in April, and Edmunds, who is under contract for one more season at $15 million, fit in their plans? They would be add-ons to a deal, in my opinion.
If Moore isn’t viewed as a true “No. 1 receiver” for the Bears, is he viewed differently by the Raiders? Las Vegas needs offensive help for presumed No. 1 pick Fernando Mendoza, and maybe Moore fits. It’s a good draft for wide receivers with a lot of depth, and there are interesting possibilities in free agency, including Alec Pierce, Romeo Doubs, Jauan Jennings and Rashid Shaheed.
Maybe the Bears can get something in return for Moore, and Ryan Poles certainly did nothing to tap the brakes on that possibility. I’m skeptical the Bears can get something back for Edmunds, but you never know.
If the Raiders wind up moving Crosby — and that would be my wager at this point — they’re going to wait until a team blinks and puts together an offer they cannot refuse. I think they stand firm, seeking maximum draft capital in return to restock a roster with holes all over the place. That price might not reach what the Cowboys got for Parsons. To address your question, maybe including Moore in a package headed by draft picks would put the deal over the top.
Las Vegas has five assistant coaches who were with the Bears in 2023, including offensive coordinator Andrew Janocko. So if the Raiders want opinions on what Moore and Edmunds are like in the building and on the practice field, that’s easy.
Here’s the question I would have: Could the Bears make a deal for Crosby and feel comfortable in being able to build out the rest of their roster in the next two to three years, considering the potential cost and salary-cap implications moving into 2027 and 2028? They don’t have the kind of building blocks on defense that they possess on offense right now.
It’s not an all-or-nothing proposition for the Bears with developing quarterback Caleb Williams headed into his third season.
Crosby, who turns 29 in August, is under contract for four more seasons with base salaries totaling $112.93 million. In a world in which the Bears trade for him, they probably could restructure the contract to create some cap savings on the front end. Poles talked at the combine about the challenges of winning now, building a sustainable roster and maintaining flexibility moving forward. Dealing for Crosby would be a huge win-now move that would complicate the ability to accomplish the latter two goals.
Remember, this is a really good draft for defensive linemen, especially edge rushers. That’s a factor many clamoring for a Crosby trade omit. As long as Crosby is listed on Las Vegas’ roster, there will be rampant speculation, and it’s reaching a crescendo as the new league year approaches. What’s the price and what are the implications in paying that price? How does the Bears’ plan shift if Crosby is on board?
History tells us that the last blockbuster trade the Bears made with the Raiders did not deliver the expected results. They didn’t win a playoff game with Khalil Mack, whom they acquired in 2018, and had only one winning season.
If the Bears believe they’re in a different position now — with a better quarterback and coach — perhaps they take the plunge.
Holy smokes. What do you make of the retirement of Drew Dalman after a Pro Bowl season? He was such a great signing and now Ryan Poles is back to square one at center. — John L., Roselle
Bears center Drew Dalman waits to snap the ball in the first quarter against the 49ers on Dec. 28, 2025, in Santa Clara, Calif. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)
The Bears will have a different starting center in Week 1 for the fifth consecutive year after the abrupt news Tuesday, first reported by ESPN’s Adam Schefter, that Dalman is retiring. While the transaction did not make the league’s personnel notice, it is expected to before the new league year starts next Wednesday.
Which positions were a huge focus at this time a year ago, one week before the start of free agency? Center, left tackle, edge rusher, defensive tackle. In some respects, the Bears are in the same situation. Indications are they’re hopeful Ozzy Trapilo, when healthy, will have a shot at nailing down the left tackle spot. But that’s a question for the start of next season, and now the Bears have a pressing need at center.
It was a vexing position for the Bears for a long time. They were frustrated in multiple searches for the right player, and that’s why landing Dalman on a three-year, $42 million contract (he was paid $18 million in 2025) was such a huge move. He fit what they wanted to do offensively and was a great asset in the run game.
As best I understand it, the Bears were aware this was a possibility — even a probability — but that won’t make replacing him easier. They’re fortunate Dalman reached this decision at the start of the offseason and not in training camp.
The challenge is for Ben Johnson and Ryan Poles to find someone who can take all the stuff off Caleb Williams’ plate that Dalman did so well. That’s calling protections and organizing things at the line of scrimmage, crucial stuff to the success of the offense.
The Baltimore Ravens’ Tyler Linderbaum is among the best of a watered-down free-agent class. He might be the best center in the league, but he could get in excess of $20 million annually in free agency. Former Washington Commanders center Tyler Biadasz reportedly visited the Bears. The Commanders released him last week, and the word is they want to lean into more of an outside zone running scheme. I’m not sure that makes him a great fit, but the Bears need to consider a variety of options and price points.
Make no mistake, the Dalman news created waves across the league and stunned folks who work for other teams. Players will tell you that every now and then they encounter a veteran who was just working to get to the financial security of a second contract before more or less mailing it in. Their heart isn’t in it and the game doesn’t run in their blood. I don’t think that was the case with Dalman at all. He didn’t shortchange the Bears last season. He was on the field for every offensive snap.
For whatever reason, he decided it was time, and there’s something to be said for walking away on your own terms even if it’s a move that makes others uncomfortable.
What are your thoughts on the Bears trading down? I always like the idea of collecting extra second- or third-round picks. With the 25th pick, it seems like a good idea. — Chip P., Crystal Lake
I know this: The number of questions and emails suggesting it’s a good idea for the Bears to stay put in Round 1 is substantially lower than those suggesting a move up or, in this case, a move back.
All kidding aside, it’s a process every team conducts as the draft draws closer. What pool of players might be available with the pick? What would be the cost to move up, if there’s a player (or players) worth exploring a little bit higher on the board? How deep would the pool of players be if a team moved back?
In a perfect world, maybe the Bears eye a deep enough collection of players around No. 25 that they feel confident they could get one of them closer to the end of Round 1. In that scenario, maybe they trade back a few spots, pick up a little something and have a chance to get one of their guys. By staying in Round 1, they would get the fifth-year option in a contract for their first pick, which has some value to the team.
With a large amount of the Bears’ offseason resources expected to be used on the defense, where do you see the team making minor moves on the offense outside of left tackle? — @sir_daniel13
Bears offensive lineman Luke Newman listens to directions during minicamp at Halas Hall on June 4, 2025, in Lake Forest. (Stacey Wescott/Chicago Tribune)
Your question came in before the news Tuesday that center Drew Dalman is walking away with two years remaining on his contract. That’s a situation that has to be addressed, and Dalman’s departure clears $10 million in cap space — possibly more if the team pursues $4 million of the $6 million signing bonus he received a year ago.
That’s a first order of business, but don’t discount the possibility Luke Newman, a sixth-round pick last year, could figure in the mix at center. The Bears were really pleased with his development last season, and I got the idea he could challenge for a job on the interior when a need arose. That need is coming sooner than anyone figured.
After the center and left tackle situations, I think you’re looking at depth pieces for the offense. As significant as the tight end is to the offense, maybe a combination of a veteran and a draft pick joins the mix. I could see the Bears considering a reunion with Durham Smythe, who was on a one-year, $2.5 million contract last year, and then maybe adding a developmental tight end on Day 3 of the draft. It’s a good class at the position, and adding more youth to the mix could be a goal.
Otherwise, maybe a running back for depth purposes, especially considering D’Andre Swift will be entering the final year of his contract. And then more offensive linemen. The Bears simply cannot have enough big bodies. Restricted free agent Jordan McFadden might be a player they’d like back in the fold.
Let’s see what happens at quarterback. If the Bears don’t trade Tyson Bagent this offseason — and I left Indianapolis with the vibe that they would need to get a pretty solid return — they might be more inclined to make that move a year from now, as he’s signed through the 2027 season. If that’s the case, what about finding a young quarterback to add to the pipeline?
We’ll have to see what happens with veteran Case Keenum, but if he’s not back on the roster, the Bears will need a quarterback. You’d imagine they have done at least some work on potential veteran options, especially if they’re taking calls on Bagent.
The Bears have a clear need at several positions, one being linebacker. Given this upcoming draft class seems to be pretty strong at the position, can you see the Bears possibly double dipping at linebacker if they can somehow address other needs in free agency? — @da_logical_bear
It’s possible, but there’s a much greater chance they select two defensive linemen than two linebackers. If the Bears re-sign D’Marco Jackson — and he earned a nice little pay raise with how he played last season — they could fortify the position with one linebacker via the draft because there’s confidence T.J. Edwards will be healthy at some point during the offseason.
We’ll see what the market is for Jackson. I’d imagine he can get a deal for $3 million, maybe $4 million a season. My best guess is there will be some combination of a veteran addition and a draft pick after Tremaine Edmunds moves on.
Can the Bears clear up cap space by extending Darnell Wright? — @kavanpuri
Bears offensive tackle Darnell Wright heads to the locker room after a 31-28 win over the Steelers on Nov. 23, 2025, at Soldier Field. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)
That’s a good question. No, the Bears would not be able to lower Wright’s cap number of $6.67 million for this season by signing him to a long-term extension. That doesn’t mean working on a multiyear deal for Wright isn’t a good idea. The team is fully expected to exercise the fifth-year option in Wright’s contract, and an extension could lower the cap hit for 2027. The option year for Wright, the 10th pick in the 2023 draft, is expected to be about $20.5 million.
If the Bears are able to extend Wright this year, they likely would be able to save a little money down the road because — as you see with the salary cap each year — prices keep going up. Wright’s game reached a new level this past season, and remarkably you can make a case he was better after suffering a torn UCL in his right elbow, forcing him to play with a brace. While Wright indicated some uncertainty about a plan for the elbow when the season ended, it sounds like there’s belief the injury will scar over and surgery won’t be required.
The only knock on Wright from last season is he had 12 penalties, tied for second in the league. That’s something I’m sure Wright and offensive line coach Dan Roushar believe can be cleaned up. A second contract for Wright isn’t a front-burner issue for Ryan Poles at this time, but there’s a decent chance the team explores one at some point in the offseason or training camp.
I was looking through past combine results and found it interesting Jeff King had the sixth-fastest shuttle time in combine history for tight ends. What are some drills and workouts you think could indicate success at the next level? — Mike F., Chicago
File this under the category of learning something every day. King, the Bears’ newly promoted assistant general manager, had a 4.09-second short shuttle at the 2006 combine before the Carolina Panthers picked him in the fifth round. It’s one of the top 10 times by any tight end since.
The short shuttle and three-cone drills are important for tight ends to determine short-area speed because that’s what is required for them to be able to uncover and work back to the football. A tight end with poor short-area speed has to be a savvy route runner and use his body to create separation.
The best receiving tight ends in the league generally have good short-area speed, and that’s an indication of how loose they are in their lower half. Poor short-area speed isn’t necessarily a fatal flaw, but it can signal a player will have a difficult time getting open against NFL coverage.
Those are two timed speeds to keep an eye on if you’re evaluating tight ends. Sure makes you wonder how King might have performed if he had been in a modern passing offense that highlights the position.
Do you think C.J. Gardner-Johnson could come back as a Jaquan Brisker replacement at safety and play CB if Kyler Gordon gets injured again? Might be able to keep him for a cheaper deal. — @bears_dubz
Bears defensive back C.J. Gardner-Johnson sacks Giants quarterback Russell Wilson on Nov. 9, 2025, at Soldier Field. (Dominic Di Palermo/Chicago Tribune)
To me, the first order of business at safety is seeing if the team can get a deal done with Kevin Byard III after his All-Pro season. If the Bears are successful in luring Byard back, I’d expect the next significant move at the position to be drafting a safety.
We’ll see what shakes out with Byard. The team has expressed a desire to bring him back. Keep in mind that any money spent to retain Byard should be considered a part of free agency because that would represent a signing to prevent a player from leaving on the open market.
I wouldn’t rule out Gardner-Johnson returning, but he’s the kind of depth piece I think the Bears would have to get at their price. They paid him the prorated minimum of $1.17 million last season as the Houston Texans were on the hook for the vast majority of his contract.
Gardner-Johnson signed a three-year, $27 million contract with the Philadelphia Eagles in March 2024 and was traded to the Texans a year later. My hunch is his market would really have to come down from that range for him to be back in a Bears uniform, especially if Byard is re-signed or the Bears go out and pay another safety. The top one on the market is probably Nick Cross of the Indianapolis Colts.
Any word if Ben Johnson and Ryan Poles are considering making any changes to the training and conditioning staff after the wave of soft-tissue injuries last year, particularly in the back seven? — @jtbcubs
They haven’t made any moves to this point, and when Poles was asked about injuries last week, he didn’t give any indication that staff turnover could be coming.
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I will say the idea the Bears had an epidemic of soft-tissue injuries is a little overblown. They had three defensive players miss significant time because of soft-tissue injuries, and one of them, cornerback Jaylon Johnson, arrived for training camp already injured. Nickel cornerback Kyler Gordon has had a history of soft-tissue injuries, and usually durable linebacker T.J. Edwards missed a good chunk of the season.
When injuries occur, folks are fast to point the finger at the training staff and the strength and conditioning coaches. Injuries are a player issue, too, right? There were other players who missed time because of soft-tissue injuries. Linebacker Tremaine Edmunds missed four games with a mild groin injury. He’s another guy who has been highly durable in his career, so it’s hard for me to blame anyone for that. These things happen.
“We look at both from the individual standpoint, how they walked into the injury, (and) we also look at it from our performance team, sports science, digging into any of the things we can do to change the health,” Poles said when asked about soft-tissue injuries last season. “I do think the one factor no one’s really talked about was last year’s unique in the sense that our first bye week was in Week 5 and then we had Friday games, Saturday games, Sunday games — we never really had a Thursday game.
“If you go back to a couple years ago, there’s a really sweet setup that we had — Thursday (game) in the first quarter (of the season), Thursday (game) in the second quarter, bye week the last possible week — and that was the most healthy team that we had.
“I think a little bit of it is schedule, a little bit of it is you do have a new staff. Guys are trying to prove themselves. The output is way higher, which you do try to manage through your sports science, but to kind of sum it up, we look through it from a team perspective of what can we do better. But we have to look at all the factors that could have led to it, too, because just resulting, we don’t want to create some chaos or redo everything because we might be doing the right thing. It was just the scenario and the environment in terms of the schedule.”
Poles made a really good point about it being Year 1 for a new coaching staff. Long ago, there was a rash of hamstring injuries in 2004 during Lovie Smith’s first season as coach when the team was doing a ton of running in training camp. The Bears got healthier in following seasons. No question players were looking to impress new coaches.
Poles didn’t guarantee there won’t be changes, but he certainly indicated the team is looking at the big picture.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/03/04/chicago-bears-mailbag-dj-moore-drew-dalman/
