One of the Chicago Bears best players up and retires age 27

[BigJay]

Dalman one of the very best centers in the league.

Was one of the keys to Caleb Williams improvement in year two.

Good centers very difficult to find and valuable. Signed a 3-year, $42-million free agent deal last offseason.

Sources: Bears center Drew Dalman retiring from NFL at age 27

Pro Bowl center Drew Dalman has informed the Bears that he's retiring at age 27 after four seasons with the Atlanta Falcons and one with Chicago, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter.

www.espn.com

 

[BigJay]

Caleb Williams was sacked a league-high 68 times in 2024 without Dalman.

Only sacked 24 times with an offensive line pro-bowler Dalman helped anchor in 2025.

 

[jjgold]

Never heard of him

 

[BigJay]

Never heard of him

How many centers in the NFL have most people heard of??

Creed Humphrey of the Chiefs and maybe the center from their favorite team. Maybe.

 

[BMR Genie]

Dalman one of the very best centers in the league.

Was one of the keys to Caleb Williams improvement in year two.

Good centers very difficult to find and valuable. Signed a 3-year, $42-million free agent deal last offseason.

Sources: Bears center Drew Dalman retiring from NFL at age 27

Pro Bowl center Drew Dalman has informed the Bears that he's retiring at age 27 after four seasons with the Atlanta Falcons and one with Chicago, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter.

www.espn.com

The article didn't mention why he's retiring early/during his prime.

 

[europro]

gutless

 

[Tanko]

Dalman one of the very best centers in the league.

Was one of the keys to Caleb Williams improvement in year two.

Good centers very difficult to find and valuable. Signed a 3-year, $42-million free agent deal last offseason.

Sources: Bears center Drew Dalman retiring from NFL at age 27

Pro Bowl center Drew Dalman has informed the Bears that he's retiring at age 27 after four seasons with the Atlanta Falcons and one with Chicago, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter.

www.espn.com

I wish they'd tell us why they are retiring. Did I miss it?

 

[Tanko]

Never heard of him

I was talking to my brother last night and he is big into gambling.
He's never heard of you so....

 

[BMR Genie]

I wish they'd tell us why they are retiring. Did I miss it?

I tried to do a quick search and it looks like it's for health reasons.

 

[BMR Genie]

I was talking to my brother last night and he is big into gambling.
He's never heard of you so....

 

[Archie]

crazy

 

[Tanko]

If the guy lives modestly, the money he's made will last a lifetime.

$25M in earnings w/ only a 3% cut going to his manager (NFLPA limit). The guy probably has $15-$20M in the bank. I would think most people could get by on that amount even retiring at 27.

 

[BigJay]

I tried to do a quick search and it looks like it's for health reasons.

View attachment 87202

Maybe he’s one of the few who invested his money wisely.

No reason to subject yourself to that kind of punishment and potential lifelong injury if you’re set financially for life and some of your passion for the game is gone.

 

[BMR Genie]

If the guy lives modestly, the money he's made will last a lifetime.

$25M in earnings w/ only a 3% cut going to his manager (NFLPA limit). The guy probably has $15-$20M in the bank. I would think most people could get by on that amount even retiring at 27.

Maybe he’s one of the few who invested his money wisely.

No reason to subject yourself to that kind of punishment and potential lifelong injury if you’re set financially for life and some of your passion for the game is gone.

True! Hopefully, he also has a supportive family.

 

[BigJay]

True! Hopefully, he also has a supportive family.

Could live off his interest if he’s set up right

 

[Tanko]

Could live off his interest if he’s set up right

$20M at 5% --> $1M/yr Gross.
That's more than 99.5% of American families.

If you can't live off the interest, you're just pissing it away on stupid stuff.

 

[BigJay]

you're just pissing it away on stupid stuff.

Like playing blackjack with Jordan in Vegas??