NFL Pro Bowler Announces Shock Retirement At 27

An NFL Pro Bowl player is stepping away from the game far earlier than anyone expected.

Chicago Bears center Drew Dalman announced he is retiring from the NFL at just 27 years old, bringing a surprising end to a career that appeared to be entering its prime.

Dalman had emerged as one of the league’s most reliable interior offensive linemen in recent seasons. Known for his technique, football IQ, and ability to anchor the middle of the offensive line, he built a reputation as a steady presence in the trenches.

The decision stunned many around the league because Dalman was coming off the best stretch of his career. During the 2025 season, he started all 17 games and played a major role in stabilizing Chicago’s offensive line. The unit showed significant improvement in pass protection while helping power a strong running attack, performance that earned Dalman his first Pro Bowl selection.

Bears C Drew Dalman expected to retire. (via @RapSheet) pic.twitter.com/Rq1ziwMuSI

— NFL (@NFL) March 3, 2026

His retirement is even more surprising given that it comes shortly after signing a major contract with the Bears. The deal, reportedly worth $42 million over three years, was expected to keep him in Chicago as the long-term anchor in the middle of the line. Instead, the franchise now faces an unexpected vacancy at one of the most important positions on the offense.

Dalman originally entered the NFL as a fourth-round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft out of Stanford. He began his professional career with the Atlanta Falcons, where he steadily developed into one of the league’s most consistent centers before eventually landing in Chicago.

Bears center Drew Dalman played 100% of the offensive snaps, making him the only player who didn’t miss a single snap.

What a signing this offseason. pic.twitter.com/Ty5DRtDtWZ

— Dave (@davebfr) January 5, 2026

Across five NFL seasons, Dalman appeared in 61 career games and made 44 starts between the Falcons and Bears. His most productive stretch came during his time in Atlanta, including a 2022 season where he started all 17 games and helped power one of the NFL’s top rushing offenses. In 2023, he started 14 games as the Falcons again finished among the league’s better rushing teams.

Dalman’s path to the NFL began at Stanford, where he played four seasons from 2017 to 2020. He started 22 of 25 games during his college career and earned first-team All-Pac-12 honors as a senior while serving as a team captain. Notably, he did not allow a single pressure during his final collegiate season.

While Dalman has not publicly detailed every reason behind the decision, early retirements in the NFL are often tied to the physical toll the sport places on players’ bodies. Many players choose to step away while they are still healthy rather than risk long-term injuries.

For the Bears, the timing creates a difficult challenge as the team prepares for the upcoming season. Replacing a Pro Bowl-caliber center is no easy task, and Chicago may now have to turn to free agency or the NFL Draft to fill the sudden hole in the middle of its offensive line.