Patriots trading starting center Garrett Bradbury to Bears, per reports
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - JANUARY 11: Garrett Bradbury #65 of the New England Patriots looks on after the AFC Wild Card Playoff game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Gillette Stadium on January 11, 2026 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. The Patriots defeated the Chargers 16-3. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images) | Getty ImagesGarrett Bradbury's stay in Foxborough has reached its end after one campaign.
The New England Patriots have agreed to trade the veteran center to the Chicago Bears in exchange for a fifth-round draft pick in 2027, per Friday reports from NFL Media's Ian Rapoport, The Athletic's Dianna Russini and ESPN's Adam Schefter.
The move cannot be finalized until the new league year officially begins next Wednesday at 4 p.m. ET.
Bradbury, 30, started every game for the reigning AFC champions from September into February. In front of sophomore All-Pro quarterback Drake Maye, he handled 98 percent of the offensive snaps and did not miss a down during the playoff run to Super Bowl LX.
Arriving at Gillette Stadium last March after being released by the Minnesota Vikings, Bradbury went on to receive the organization's Ron Hobson Good Guy Award and was not charted by Pro Football Focus for allowing a sack in the regular season. He has started all 113 of his appearances, including postseason, since entering the NFL out of North Carolina State at pick No. 18 overall back in 2019.
One year remains on Bradbury's two-year, $9.5 million contract. It brought $3.8 million fully guaranteed at signing, yet no guaranteed base salary loomed on the horizon for 2026.
The departure of the former Rimington Trophy winner will clear $5.7 million in cap space, per OverTheCap.com, while setting the stage for 2025 third-rounder Jared Wilson to kick inside after a rookie campaign spent at left guard.
Earlier Friday, the Bears officially placed Pro Bowl starting center Drew Dalman on the retired list. That void has now been filled in Chicago heading into free agency.