Former Washington Commanders center Tyler Biadasz is off the market, scooped up by the Los Angeles Chargers in a move that dashes any hope the Green Bay Packers had of landing their Elgton Jenkins replacement. Because Biadasz was released, they could have signed him without impacting the compensation pick formula for their own departing free agents. That only increased his allure.
As much as this development stung the Packers, it probably hurt their division rival, the Chicago Bears, even more. That's still true even after they reportedly agreed to trade for New England Patriots center Garrett Bradbury.
They were all but forced to after the shocking news that their own center, Drew Dalman, had suddenly decided to retire at age 27, after five NFL seasons. Reports quickly emerged linking them to Biadasz as a replacement, but the possibility swiftly disappeared.
In response, the Bears pivoted to a trade with New England, agreeing to send a 2027 fifth-rounder for Bradbury. It seems safe to assume he was not their first choice, grading out 30th at the position per Pro Football Focus. Biadasz, who would not have cost a draft pick, ranked 11th, with above-average marks in both pass and run blocking.
While the Packers may have wanted Biadasz, too, they have been preparing for the post-Jenkins era for weeks. That was not the case for the Bears and Dalman. With so little time to plan, they had to act fast. It's a fine trade, sure, and, hey, what has Green Bay actually done yet, but would the Packers swap spots with Chicago at the center position?
Probably not.
The Packers also need a center, but the Bears were desperate
Do the Packers have a definite answer at center moving forward? No, not really. Biadasz was an enticing free agent for a reason. Still, they have had time to strategize for the fallout of moving on from Jenkins.
Re-signing another of their own free agents, Sean Rhyan, is one possibility to help fill the void at center. Rhyan is a guard by natural position, and did not grade out well after stepping in at center last season with Jenkins injured, but he could improve and would offer depth.
More than likely, Green Bay has also scoured the upcoming draft class, a deep one at the position. Iowa's Logan Jones, for one, could be on Brian Gutekunst's wish list. Perhaps Jacob Monk is ready to do a bit more next year.
The Bears didn't have the luxury of preparatory research ahead of free agency. Dalman just signed a three-year contract last offseason. The sixth-ranked center per Pro Football Focus last season, he was supposed to lead the offensive line for the foreseeable future.
The next man listed on Chicago's center depth chart, guard Ryan Bates, is a free agent. He was limited to special teams last year, anyway, and has dealt with extensive injuries. Dalman's retirement left them in no-man's land, and understandably so. In 2025, he started all 17 games and made his first Pro Bowl. They had no reason to go hunting replacements.
Credit to the Bears for landing one so quickly, though they will sacrifice draft capital in exchange. The Packers have not secured any replacement for Jenkins, but they have been able to brace for change. While the Bears were blindsided, it seems silly to imagine that Green Bay is approaching free agency and the draft without a decent roadmap in mind.