Ryan Poles and the Chicago Bears had the task of freeing up cap space ahead of the new league year next week. Over the past few days, they were able to free up $44 million to earn them about $32 million in cap space.
While the Drew Dalman retirement was unplanned for, the Bears also decided to move on from wide receiver DJ Moore by trading him to Buffalo and then released Tremaine Edmunds. However, with that Dalman news, it created a major need for the Bears.
Last offseason, Chicago was able to fix the offensive line with three moves. They traded for Joe Thuney and Jonah Jackson, then signed Dalman. Now they need to find a new center to replace Dalman. With Tyler Biadasz off the board, the biggest target left is Tyler Linderbaum. The former Baltimore Ravens center would be an ideal fit but he will be pricey.
As we get set for the free agency period, one analyst made his prediction for where Linderbaum will land. And it’s good news for the Bears.
ESPN insider predicts Chicago Bears land Tyler Linderbaum
Sep 7, 2025; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Baltimore Ravens center Tyler Linderbaum (64) and center Corey Bullock (67) enter the field for warm up prior to the game against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images
The free agency period is a few days and to get ready, Dan Graziano of ESPN made predictions for the big free agents. He projected Linderbaum to land with the Bears. Here is what he said:
Contract projection:Â Four years, $90 million with $60 million guaranteed
This would be an average salary of $22.5 million per year, which would blow the top off the center market. Kansas City’s Cree Humphrey is currently the highest-paid center at $18 million per year. But by hitting unrestricted free agency at age 25 in an offseason with a ton of teams looking for starting centers and guards, Linderbaum should cash in big-time thanks to a bidding war between multiple teams — one of which just had its 27-year-old center retire unexpectedly this week.
Predicted landing spot:Â Chicago Bears
Now, that’s a hefty price to pay. But it would immediately solve a big need for the Bears and give them stability back at the center position. With Chicago freeing up the money, they did so for a reason.
It feels like they are going to go all in on Maxx Crosby or spend it on a key position of need elsewhere.
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