Grading Drew Dalman’s $42 million contract agreement with Chicago Bears
https://youtu.be/46WhCsbVf_Y
The Chicago Bears have secured center Drew Dalman on a $42 million contract, aiming to solidify their offensive line for Caleb Williams. But was this the right move? In this video, we break down the deal, analyze Dalman’s strengths and weaknesses, and discuss what this signing means for the Bears' long-term success. Will Dalman be the anchor Chicago desperately needs, or did Ryan Poles overpay? Let’s dive into the details and hand out a final grade for the move!
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#ChicagoBears #DrewDalman #BearsOline #RyanPoles #BearsFreeAgency #NFL2025 #BearsNation #CalebWilliams #MonstersOfTheMidway #WindyCityGridiron #NFLNews #OffensiveLine #BearsFootball
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**Fair Use Disclaimer**
This video contains copyrighted material used under the fair use provisions of Section 107 of the U.S. Copyright Act. It is for purposes such as criticism, commentary, news reporting, teaching, and research. No copyright infringement is intended.
https://youtu.be/46WhCsbVf_Y
The Chicago Bears have secured center Drew Dalman on a $42 million contract, aiming to solidify their offensive line for Caleb Williams. But was this the right move? In this video, we break down the deal, analyze Dalman’s strengths and weaknesses, and discuss what this signing means for the Bears' long-term success. Will Dalman be the anchor Chicago desperately needs, or did Ryan Poles overpay? Let’s dive into the details and hand out a final grade for the move!
----------
#ChicagoBears #DrewDalman #BearsOline #RyanPoles #BearsFreeAgency #NFL2025 #BearsNation #CalebWilliams #MonstersOfTheMidway #WindyCityGridiron #NFLNews #OffensiveLine #BearsFootball
----------
**Fair Use Disclaimer**
This video contains copyrighted material used under the fair use provisions of Section 107 of the U.S. Copyright Act. It is for purposes such as criticism, commentary, news reporting, teaching, and research. No copyright infringement is intended.
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SportsTranscript
00:00We're diving into one of the most significant moves of the 2025 offseason.
00:04The Chicago Bears have just locked down Drew Dallman, a 26-year-old center,
00:11to a massive three-year, $42 million contract. That's right, $42 million. Not only is this a
00:19huge payday for Dallman, but it also makes him the second-highest-paid center in the NFL.
00:25That's a big deal. But what does this mean for the Chicago Bears? How does this move
00:29impact the team's future and their hopes for the 2025 season?
00:34The Chicago Bears are in the midst of a complete offensive line overhaul, and it's no secret why,
00:39over the last few seasons, one of the team's biggest struggles has been protecting their
00:43quarterbacks. Whether it was Justin Fields or Caleb Williams, the Bears' offensive line just
00:48couldn't hold up. Last year, the Bears' offensive line allowed 68 sacks, the most in the entire
00:55league. That's a brutal number for any quarterback, let alone a young, developing signal caller like
00:59Caleb Williams. With this kind of protection, a quarterback's confidence and ability to perform
01:04is severely limited. So it's clear that something had to be done. And here's where Drew Dallman
01:10comes into play. Now, you might be asking yourself, who is Drew Dallman and why should we
01:15care about him? Great question. Drew Dallman is a 26-year-old center who was drafted by the Atlanta
01:20Falcons in the fourth round of the 2021 NFL Draft. Dallman had a solid rookie year, primarily
01:26serving as a backup, but by 2022, he had earned the starting center role. Since then, he has been
01:31a steady presence on the Falcons' offensive line. He's not a flashy player, but that's what makes
01:36him so effective. Offensive linemen aren't always the most celebrated players, but they are among
01:40the most important, and Dallman has quietly been one of the better centers in the league.
01:47In his first few seasons with the Falcons, Dallman was known for being a consistent force
01:52in both pass protection and run blocking, but it wasn't until 2024 that he truly solidified his
01:58place as one of the top centers in the NFL. Despite being limited to just nine games due
02:03to an ankle injury, Dallman still posted a respectable 78.8 grade from Pro Football Focus,
02:10ranking him fourth out of 64 centers. That's not just good, that's elite.
02:17Now, let's talk about why Dallman's signing is such a big deal for the Chicago Bears.
02:22When the Bears went into the offseason, one of the team's biggest needs was at center.
02:26Last season, Coleman Shelton held down the starting job, but with a lackluster 66.5.4
02:32grade from PFF, it was clear that the Bears needed to upgrade at the position.
02:37Dallman's arrival changes everything. With Dallman, the Bears now have one of the most
02:42reliable centers in the league. This is huge for Caleb Williams, the team's franchise quarterback.
02:46Having a solid center is essential for a quarterback's success. A good center can
02:51set the tone for the entire offensive line, keeping the pocket clean and allowing the
02:54quarterback to focus on reading the defense and making plays. But it's not just about pass
03:00protection. A center also plays a massive role in the run game, and that's something the Bears
03:06struggled with in 2024. The Bears finished 2024 ranked 25th in rushing offense, averaging just
03:13102 yards per game. For a team that wants to compete in the NFC, that's not nearly good
03:20enough. The running back position, which has been a bit of a revolving door, hasn't had the support
03:25it needs from the offensive line. But with Dallman anchoring the center position, things are about to
03:32change. Dallman is known for his exceptional run blocking skills. In 2024, he posted a run
03:39blocking grade of 79.8 from Pro Football Focus, ranking 5th best among all centers. That's a game
03:46changer. The Bears need a center who can open up running lanes for their backs, and Dallman can do
03:52just that. With Dallman in the middle, the running backs will have better opportunities to break
03:56through the line and gain crucial yards. Whether it's DeAndre Swift or another back, Dallman will
04:02make sure there's a clear path for them to hit the hole and pick up yards. It's not just about
04:07the 2025 season either. This is a long-term investment for the Bears. Drew Dallman is just
04:1226 years old, which means he's entering the prime of his career. The Bears aren't just looking for a
04:18quick fix. They're looking for someone who can be the cornerstone of their offensive line for years
04:23to come. This is a player who could anchor the middle of the line for the next decade, providing
04:29stability and leadership on a line that has been in constant flux. And the best part? This isn't
04:36the only move the Bears are making to improve the offensive line. In addition to Dallman, the Bears
04:41also signed Joe Thune, a veteran guard, and Jonah Jackson, another experienced player. Together,
04:47these three players, Thune, Jackson, and Dallman, represent a major upgrade to an offensive line
04:55that has struggled for years. Now with a solid, experienced line in place, the Bears can finally
04:59focus on building the offense around their young quarterback, Caleb Williams. Let's take a moment
05:04to appreciate the bigger picture here. The Chicago Bears have one of the best offseason situations in
05:10the entire NFL. General Manager Ryan Poles has done an outstanding job setting the team up for success.
05:17The Bears have the sixth highest salary cap space in the league, which has allowed them to make
05:21these aggressive moves in free agency. On top of that, they hold the 10th overall pick in the
05:27upcoming NFL Draft, along with two other selections within the top 50. This gives the team the resources
05:34they need to continue building the roster. But let's be clear. It's not just about free agency.
05:40The Bears have a clear vision for their future, and it starts with the offensive line. By signing
05:45Drew Dallman, the team is sending a message they are serious about competing. They're not just
05:50looking to rebuild, they're looking to win. And this move shows that they're willing to invest in
05:55the right players to make that happen. Now I know some of you might be thinking, this is great, but
06:00one player doesn't fix everything, and you're right. The Bears still have a lot of work to do.
06:04They need to continue addressing other areas of need, such as wide receiver, tight end, and
06:08defensive upgrades. But let's not downplay the importance of this signing. Dallman is one of the
06:14best centers available in free agency, and the Bears were able to land him. That's a huge win for
06:19the team. When you look at the state of the Chicago Bears right now, things are looking up. The
06:25offensive line is no longer a weakness, it's a strength. Caleb Williams now has the protection
06:30he needs to succeed, and the Bears running game is about to get a massive boost. This team is built
06:36for long-term success, and with the addition of Drew Dallman, they are well on their way to becoming
06:41a contender in the NFC. So as we look ahead to the 2025 season, we can all agree on one thing.
06:48The future is bright for the Chicago Bears. This is just the beginning. Drew Dallman's signing is
06:53one piece of the puzzle, and there's plenty more to come. Stay tuned, Bears fans. We're in for an exciting ride.