Caleb Williams gets boost as Bears poised to steal $20m Tom Brady target after retirement decision

Mar 7, 2026 - 10:30

The Chicago Bears have a huge hole to fill in their offensive-line.

The announcement that Drew Dalman was retiring at just 27-years-old shocked the NFL world, but also left the Bears in a difficult position.

Drew Dalman #52 of the Chicago Bears smiles before the 2026 NFL Pro Bowl game between the AFC and the NFC at the Moscone Center South on February 03, 2026 in San Francisco, California. The NFC won 66-52. — Drew Dalman’s shock retirement sent waves through the NFL

The five-year veteran played every single snap for Chicago last season after signing a three-year, $42 million contract last offseason.

After suffering a league-leading 68 sacks in 2024, Caleb Williams was sacked just 24 times in 2025, the third-fewest in the league, thanks to Dalman and other offseason additions Jonah Jackson and Joe Thuney.

Now, with one of their key pieces gone, the Bears have been tipped to land the widely-regarded best offensive-lineman on the market.

Tyler Linderbaum is already a three-time Pro Bowler at 25-years-old and is preparing to cash in on a record-breaking contract this offseason.

Linderbaum is projected to land a deal that will be worth over $20 million per season, making him easily the highest-paid centre in the league.

He had his fifth-year option denied by the Baltimore Ravens, and will test free agency when the signing window opens.

The Bears are emerging as a serious-suitor for his services, with free agency set to begin on March 11.

They cleared up $16.5 million in salary cap space after trading D.J. Moore and a fifth round pick to the Buffalo Bills, in exchange for a second-round pick.

Just hours after that, they cleared another $15 million in cap space, by releasing former Pro Bowl linebacker Tremaine Edmunds.

Signing Linderbaum would immediately ease concerns over Chicago’s offensive line heading into 2026.

Caleb Williams #18 of the Chicago Bears reacts after being defeated by the Los Angeles Rams in the NFC Divisional Playoffs at Soldier Field on January 18, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois. — Williams left an emotional message to Dalman upon the announcement of his release

Tyler Linderbaum #64 of the Baltimore Ravens looks on before the game against the New England Patriots at M&T Bank Stadium on December 21, 2025 in Baltimore, Maryland. — The Chicago Bears are expected to be heavily interested in signing Linderbaum this offseason

But the Bears won’t be the only team interested in adding his services.

Raiders also set to pursue Linderbaum in free agency

Linderbaum will be a hot-commodity for a number of teams, including Tom Brady’s Las Vegas Raiders.

The Raiders own the first overall pick in the upcoming 2026 NFL Draft, and are widely touted to select Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza.

But it’s not a one-man team, and the Raiders, who finished 3-14 in 2025, are expected to go all out and protect their future franchise quarterback.

According to NBC Sports’ Matthew Berry, Las Vegas is expected to make ‘a very strong run’ at Baltimore Ravens center Tyler Linderbaum.

Linderbaum could be the answer for the Raiders who will head into 2026 with a new play-caller.

Tom Brady, former NFL quarterback, looks on before the Detroit Lions play the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium on October 13, 2024 — Brady will want Mendoza’s transition into the NFL to be as smooth as possible

Geno Smith was sacked 55-times and threw 17 interceptions in 2025, and is reportedly going to be released by the Raiders, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

The addition of one of the best run-blocking centres in football would make the transition for Mendoza a much smoother process.

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