The Chicago Bears didn’t get too cute or creative in the two opening rounds of the NFL draft, addressing specific needs with logical picks at Nos. 25 and 57 on Thursday and Friday, respectively.
After acquiring safety Dillon Thieneman out of Oregon in the first round to fill in for departed first-team All-Pro Kevin Byard III and 17-game starter Jaquan Brisker, the Bears turned to center Logan Jones of Iowa in Round 2.
Chicago had to scramble this offseason to replace center Drew Dalman, whom the team paid $42 million on a three-year deal in free agency in 2025. However, after a Pro Bowl campaign last year, the first of his five-year career, Dalman unexpectedly retired heading into his age-28 campaign.
The Bears traded with the New England Patriots for former Minnesota Vikings center Garrett Bradbury in March, who has one year remaining on his two-year deal worth $9.5 million. He will cost Chicago $4.7 million in base salary and bonuses, and has another $1 million in incentives on his deal that Spotrac dubs as “likely.”
Bradbury is a reasonable single-season replacement in a pinch, though the former first-rounder struggled during his time in Minnesota and finished 30th out of 40 centers who played enough snaps to qualify in 2025.
Bears Perhaps Over-Drafted Logan Jones Based on Positional Need
GettyFormer Iowa Hawkeyes center Logan Jones.
Iowa has a strong history of developing offensive linemen who succeed at the next level, and there is little reason to believe that Jones can’t become one of them.
For instance, former Hawkeye and first-round pick in 2022 Tyler Linderbaum just inked a historic contract at the center position by agreeing to a three-year, $81 million deal with the Las Vegas Raiders this offseason at the age of 26.
Chicago was a potential candidate for Linderbaum after Dalman’s retirement, but chose instead to go younger, and far less expensive, at the position by selecting Jones. However, the Bears may have reached a bit for the player based on the pre-draft assessment by Lance Zierlein of NFL Network, who projected Jones as a Round 3-4 prospect.
“[Jones is] undersized but highly experienced with NFL-ready technique,” Zierlein wrote. “Jones has a dense frame and short limbs. He has impressive initial quickness and stays firm inside the framework with his hands while his feet rarely stop pressing forward. Long nose tackles with quick hands are his kryptonite at the point of attack.”
Bears Have Serious Concerns on O-Line Heading into 2026
GettyLeft tackle Ozzy Trapilo of the Chicago Bears.
But despite his limitations, Zierlein believes that Jones can potentially step in immediately for Chicago, which may prove necessary depending on the health and/or play of Bradbury in 2026.
“Iowa’s scheme limited [Jones’] true pass-set count, so proving he can anchor and play with gap range will be essential,” Zierlein added. “He’s operational in gap schemes but better in zone, where his athleticism mitigates his lack of length. Jones’ age, traits and center-only value could limit his suitor count, but he has the polish to help early with the right fit.”
Offensive line is a serious concern in Chicago after 2025 second-round pick Ozzy Trapilo suffered a torn patellar tendon in Round 1 of the playoffs against the Green Bay Packers in January and is likely to miss most of the upcoming season.
He became the Bears’ starting left tackle down the stretch of his rookie campaign, replacing Theo Benedet who took the job of Braxton Jones earlier in the year. Both Jones and Benedet are back in Chicago in 2026 and will presumably battle with former first-round pick/Cleveland Browns bust Jedrick Wills Jr. for the starting job.
Bears Draft Logan Jones After Unexpected Retirement of $42 Million Pro Bowler