The Chicago Bears are on the hunt for a new center in the 2026 NFL Draft, and it’s a topic buzzing around the league. With Pro Bowl center Drew Dalman hanging up his cleats, the Bears moved swiftly to acquire Garrett Bradbury from the New England Patriots. While this trade shores up the position for the immediate future, the question remains: are the Bears eyeing the draft to secure long-term stability at center?
One name that keeps popping up is Iowa's Logan Jones. Slated as a potential pick in the late Day 2 or early Day 3 rounds, Jones has been on the Bears' radar.
However, insider Erik Lambert suggests the Bears might not be as keen as initially thought, especially after skipping Iowa's Pro Day. Could this be a strategic move to keep other teams guessing?
Jones has certainly made waves, clocking a blazing 4.9-second 40-yard dash-the fastest among offensive linemen. His accolades speak volumes: last season, he snagged the Rimington Trophy as the nation's top center, contributed to the Joe Moore Award-winning offensive line, and was a unanimous All-American and first-team All-Big Ten selection. His impressive resume stretches back to a first-team All-Big Ten nod in 2024 and a third-team selection in 2023.
While Kansas State's Sam Hecht and others offer solid options, Jones stands out as perhaps the most athletic center available. For the Bears, nabbing him without burning a first or second-round pick would be a savvy move.
Currently, Bradbury holds the starting spot, but his performance has been middling since his NFL debut with the Minnesota Vikings. Bringing Jones into the fold would allow him to learn the ropes under Bradbury, setting the stage for a potential takeover in 2027.
With a strong class of centers this year, the Bears can't afford to miss out. If General Manager Ryan Poles is playing coy about his interest in Jones, it might not fool anyone. The league knows Chicago is serious about bolstering their center position in this draft.