The New England Patriots will need to name a new starting center in 2026, as the team is reportedly trading Garrett Bradbury to the Chicago Bears. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the trade is expected to bring New England a fifth-round draft pick. However, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport noted that the trade cannot be made official until the new league year begins next week.
The Bears faced an urgent need for a new center following the surprise retirement of 27-year-old Drew Dalman earlier this week. Dalman was a Pro Bowler in 2025 and had signed a three-year, $42 million contract with Chicago last March.
Bradbury, 30, started every game for the Patriots in 2025, including their Super Bowl LX appearance. The seven-year NFL veteran played a significant role in improving New England’s offensive line last season, helping to protect and build chemistry with quarterback Drake Maye. In Maye’s rookie year, he played with three different starting centers—David Andrews, Ben Brown, and Cole Strange—which made Bradbury’s stability invaluable.
On the offensive line, Bradbury held a leadership role alongside fellow veteran Morgan Moses, rookie left tackle Will Campbell, and left guard Jared Wilson. His contributions were critical in the Patriots’ dramatic turnaround from one of the worst teams in 2024 to AFC champions in 2025.
The reported trade will free up approximately $5.7 million in cap space, according to Spotrac. With the trade and the impending release of wide receiver Stefon Diggs, New England is projected to have over $60 million available to spend in free agency.
Looking ahead, Bradbury’s replacement on the Patriots could potentially be Jared Wilson, who played center in college. The 22-year-old started 12 games at center for Georgia in 2024, snapping the ball to 2026 NFL Draft quarterback prospect Carson Beck. Wilson started 17 games at left guard for New England in 2025, including every playoff game.
If Wilson transitions back to center, the Patriots will need to find a new left guard. This could be addressed through the upcoming NFL Draft in April or by signing a free agent. Ben Brown, who filled in for Wilson multiple times last season when Wilson was injured, is an in-house option at the position. However, starting Brown would impact the team’s offensive line depth.
Whichever path the Patriots choose, retooling this key position group will be essential to maintaining the success they enjoyed in 2025. Additionally, quarterback Drake Maye’s health, which declined during the postseason, should be a top priority for the front office as they make these important decisions.
https://www.boston.com/sports/new-england-patriots/2026/03/06/patriots-bears-garrett-bradbury-trade/
