2026 Chicago Bears Offseason Thread

[NorthsideAvenger]

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Edited March 3 by NorthsideAvenger

[Geographyhater8888]

21 hours ago, gflore34 said:

I really like having a run-stuffer like McDaniel in the middle.  Stopping the rush would go a long way towards making the Bears' defense, at least, average in 2026.

One thing to consider is that denis Allen has never drafted a DT over 300 lbs. if he sticks to the script then McDonald won’t be a Bear. He prefers speed on the interior. 

Edited March 3 by Geographyhater8888

[Geographyhater8888]

On 2/27/2026 at 11:44 AM, Tryptamine said:

So after a bunch of listening it sounds like this draft is very strong with LB, Safety, interior linemen and nose tackles. It's extremely weak in QB and lacks impact talent depth at EDGE and OT. I think there's a pretty good chance the Bears are going safety or LB at #25. Edge sounds like it's going to have to come via FA or trade.

Dennis Allen has never drafted a lineman over 300 lbs either so it remains to be seen if he’ll even use a pick on a fat guy who can clog running lanes. 

[Old Style]

Bears are now listed as betting favorites to land Maxx Crosby. I’ve seen -175 and -200 so at this point I’ll be surprised if we don’t get him. I just hope we don’t give up too much. 

[We Got The Whole 9]

Just sign Trey

[Tryptamine]

40 minutes ago, Old Style said:

Bears are now listed as betting favorites to land Maxx Crosby. I’ve seen -175 and -200 so at this point I’ll be surprised if we don’t get him. I just hope we don’t give up too much. 

I'm starting to waiver on even giving up a 1st for him let alone two. It's just an enormous amount of money and resources to throw at one spot when Safety, DT, LB and LT are all must address.

[Old Style]

WHAT THE ACTUAL horsefeathers!

[bukie]

In American football, the only winning move is not to play.

[Outshined_One]

*heavy sigh*

I won't begrudge someone doing what's best for their physical/mental health, and at least this happened prior to FA and the draft, but still, woof.

[UMFan83]

man that sucks.  agreed everyone has the right to do whats best for their physical and mental health and honestly I dont blame him but thats a big blow for the bears.

[BigSlick]

Oh no. 

[gflore34]

Does suck but, at least it's well before the season and I wish Dalman well.  Guess they'll be looking at drafting a center on day 3?

[BigSlick]

Bears are never allowed to have the Oline locked down, huh (obviously do not begrudge Dalman his decision, just sucks for the team)

[WrigleyField 22]

Man that's tough. Hope there isn't anything serious driving the decision. 

[Brian707]

Go from o holes on the O line to 2 . Damn

[MidoreX]

8 minutes ago, Brian707 said:

Go from o holes on the O line to 2 . Damn

This is why smart teams never stop drafting or otherwise looking to acquire OL talent... Though early retirement obviously isn't as common as injuries and other attrition

[Banedon]

I guess the upside is this happens before the draft/free agency/cap manipulations.  But ugh.

[Brian707]

3 hours ago, Old Style said:

Bears are now listed as betting favorites to land Maxx Crosby. I’ve seen -175 and -200 so at this point I’ll be surprised if we don’t get him. I just hope we don’t give up too much. 

Its now -135 on draftkings. Maybe the Bears will be unwilling to give up so much draft capital with the Dallman retirement 

 

[Banedon]

[Banedon]

Quote

Encouragingly, though, Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer has reported that the Bears have “sniffed around” on the market of a high-level replacement: Baltimore Ravens three-time Pro Bowl center Tyler Linderbaum, who will hit free agency next week.

“The Bears have sniffed around Tyler Linderbaum and now that makes sense,” Breer wrote on X following the news about Dalman’s sudden retirement.

Quote

Linderbaum would not come cheap for the Bears. According to Spotrac’s projections, he could sign between $17 million and $18 million annually, which would be notably more than the $14 million-per-season that the Bears had agreed to pay Dalman last March.

 

[jersey cubs fan]

If you’re solid at both guards I’d think it makes sense to be working in the more affordable range for C now. 
 

 

[Banedon]

 

Quote

A Pro Bowler with the Dallas Cowboys in 2022, Biadasz has spent the last two seasons with the Washington Commanders snapping the ball to 2024 first-round quarterback Jayden Daniels. Biadasz was PFF’s 12th-highest-graded center in 2025 and seems to have a balanced game. His 71.2 run-blocking grade from Pro Football Focus checked in at 12th among 39 qualifying centers, while his 67.1 pass-blocking grade was 15th — just behind Drew Dalman’s 67.3 grade.

 

[minnesotacubsfan]

That sucks about Dalman, I was hoping he’d be around for awhile to grow with Caleb

[We Got The Whole 9]

Tough blow. I was hoping for continuity. 

[NorthsideAvenger]

As much as I would like for the Bears to get Linderbaum, I think the more reasonable thing to do is Biadasz and draft a center. Just no Ryan Bates experiment nonsense.